The Reader
May 17, 2007
Missing Painting
Normally paintings aren’t stolen until the artist
is dead and the painting is worth a few
million. However, recently a painting has
mysteriously disappeared from Suzanne
Stryker’s exhibit at Entree Cafe Gallery in
Fairfield. This is an exotic crime by Iowa’s
standards. The painting was uninsured. The
police said that depending on how the
painting was taken, the penalty ranges
between a monetary fine to five years in
prison. According to the police, either way
someone took a risk here, as it would be
considered a serious misdemeanor and
would permanently go on one’s record. Was
this a painting that someone just couldn’t live
without?
Suzanne said, “I haven’t signed a police
report yet because the police informed me
that after a report is signed that they would
prosecute without consulting me. I will give
the person a chance to return it. I will wait
until June 15 before filing a police report.”
With the custom-made frame, the painting measures 16 by 20
inches. The subject matter is abstract.
Suzanne remarked, “ I was hesitant to exhibit
that painting in Fairfield because it is abstract
and sort of wild, and yet, here it was the one
that was stolen!”
If you have any knowledge about the painting, please call 641-472-
7767. If you took the painting, by June 15 please bring it to Entrée
Gallery or mail it to Suzanne Stryker, c/o Entrée Gallery, 203 West
Broadway, Fairfield, IA 52556. Please wrap carefully in thick
layers of bubble wrap.
May 17, 2007
Missing Painting
Normally paintings aren’t stolen until the artist
is dead and the painting is worth a few
million. However, recently a painting has
mysteriously disappeared from Suzanne
Stryker’s exhibit at Entree Cafe Gallery in
Fairfield. This is an exotic crime by Iowa’s
standards. The painting was uninsured. The
police said that depending on how the
painting was taken, the penalty ranges
between a monetary fine to five years in
prison. According to the police, either way
someone took a risk here, as it would be
considered a serious misdemeanor and
would permanently go on one’s record. Was
this a painting that someone just couldn’t live
without?
Suzanne said, “I haven’t signed a police
report yet because the police informed me
that after a report is signed that they would
prosecute without consulting me. I will give
the person a chance to return it. I will wait
until June 15 before filing a police report.”
With the custom-made frame, the painting measures 16 by 20
inches. The subject matter is abstract.
Suzanne remarked, “ I was hesitant to exhibit
that painting in Fairfield because it is abstract
and sort of wild, and yet, here it was the one
that was stolen!”
If you have any knowledge about the painting, please call 641-472-
7767. If you took the painting, by June 15 please bring it to Entrée
Gallery or mail it to Suzanne Stryker, c/o Entrée Gallery, 203 West
Broadway, Fairfield, IA 52556. Please wrap carefully in thick
layers of bubble wrap.
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February 11, 2008
| Clicking on image does NOT give larger image unless noted - this page is under construction - return soon |
December 18, 2007
| GALLERIES |
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MUSEUM SECURITY NETWORK
The Journal Reader Comments
Only in Fairfield would the
response from the victim of
the theft be so peaceful.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Beth Dalbey, Des Moines, Iowa
Only in Fairfield would the
response from the victim of
the theft be so peaceful.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Beth Dalbey, Des Moines, Iowa
Posted by Wade on Sun.
Dec. 23, 2007 4:53pm
Someone must have
liked the paintings quite
a lot - to steal them. The
artist should take it as a
compliment - to steal to
keep for themselves or
to sell- either way the
thieves must think the
paintings were valuable.
Dec. 23, 2007 4:53pm
Someone must have
liked the paintings quite
a lot - to steal them. The
artist should take it as a
compliment - to steal to
keep for themselves or
to sell- either way the
thieves must think the
paintings were valuable.
IOWA CITY PRESS-CITIZEN
IOWA CITY PRESS-CITIZEN
Reader Comments
Reader Comments
DesMoinesRegister.com POWERED BY YOU AND The Des Moines Register
Fairfield artist seeks two stolen paintings
REGISTER STAFF REPORTS • December 19, 2007
A Fairfield artist is trying to recover two paintings stolen from a local gallery.
Suzanne Stryker says an abstract painting was stolen earlier this year and watercolor of a flower was taken about two weeks ago.
Both paintings were taken from the Entrée Café Gallery near the Fairfield Post Office.
Stryker worked on the abstract painting for six or seven years. "I finished it just this year," she said. "This is not like having your TV
stolen. I have a lot of hours invested in them. To me, they are like a child I nurtured."
Fairfield police say they are investigating.
More expensive paintings were left untouched.
Vipul Gupta, owner of the café and gallery, said he knows of no other paintings that have been taken. "We are a restaurant, not strictly a gallery," he said. "Hundreds of people come and
go each day through multiple entrances and exits. And these were not huge paintings. They were little enough to put in a backpack."
Stryker said she would drop charges against the culprit if the paintings were returned. The abstract work was not her usual style and
she said she was almost afraid to show it. "But I guess if it's good enough to steal it's good enough to sell."
She now plans to paint more of them.
Fairfield artist seeks two stolen paintings
REGISTER STAFF REPORTS • December 19, 2007
A Fairfield artist is trying to recover two paintings stolen from a local gallery.
Suzanne Stryker says an abstract painting was stolen earlier this year and watercolor of a flower was taken about two weeks ago.
Both paintings were taken from the Entrée Café Gallery near the Fairfield Post Office.
Stryker worked on the abstract painting for six or seven years. "I finished it just this year," she said. "This is not like having your TV
stolen. I have a lot of hours invested in them. To me, they are like a child I nurtured."
Fairfield police say they are investigating.
More expensive paintings were left untouched.
Vipul Gupta, owner of the café and gallery, said he knows of no other paintings that have been taken. "We are a restaurant, not strictly a gallery," he said. "Hundreds of people come and
go each day through multiple entrances and exits. And these were not huge paintings. They were little enough to put in a backpack."
Stryker said she would drop charges against the culprit if the paintings were returned. The abstract work was not her usual style and
she said she was almost afraid to show it. "But I guess if it's good enough to steal it's good enough to sell."
She now plans to paint more of them.
The Only Crime that Leaves You Feeling Loved by Suzanne Stryker
Over nine months ago, a colorful abstract acrylic painting was stolen from my art exhibit in
Fairfield. But this was not a one-night stand. Recently a second painting was stolen from my
current solo show at Entrée Café Gallery, right across the street from the Fairfield Post
Office. This is no reflection against the establishment; even the finest museums get robbed.
This time the thieves took a watercolor of a peach and red colored peony flower.
Around the same time, a Picasso painting was robbed from Brazil’s premier modern art
museum. Picasso has had more works of art stolen (551!) than any other artist in the world.
My advice to the thieves: help Picasso maintain that status and leave the smaller artists like
me alone!
The Des Moines Register interviewed me three times about my art thefts and posted an
article with photographs on its website. In response to the article, a reader wrote, “I like
those paintings, The first one reminds me of Georgia O’Keefe, and the second one seems
like a cross between Picasso’s cubism phase and Jackson Pollack, and a stained glass
window. I hope she gets them back.”
I wonder where the paintings are now. Maybe the thieves gave one to their mother and the
other to a lover. I want to know—did they like the paintings? Do they go with the couch? Why
did they take and take again—is the business that good? Who wants this kind of art? If the
new owners like my paintings so much, how about calling me directly and cutting out the
middleman?
Why did the thieves steal those particular paintings and not a nearby oil painting priced
twice as high? Was it personal taste or professional incompetence? Did they flunk Art Theft
101? Their fence should be furious.
Many people have bought my art, but no one until now has ever dared risk going to jail for
five years and having it go on their record permanently. The thieves could be considered to
be my biggest fan!
On the other hand, selling paintings is how I make my living. I feel slapped and deeply
complimented twice, but not so complimented that I don’t want my paintings back. If anyone
has seen them, please call me at 641-472-7767. I am offering a $200 reward for the safe
return of the paintings.
I would like to communicate with the robbers: I want you to know that I will drop the charges if
the paintings are returned. Please let me know if my paintings are okay. You could contact
me through my website, www.paintyoga.com. I am not trying to trick you; email me from the
library or somewhere where it could not be traced. Also, I am tempted to tell you: If you know
people that appreciate my paintings, let’s work together. Let’s go legit, I’ll be generous with
commission.
Over nine months ago, a colorful abstract acrylic painting was stolen from my art exhibit in
Fairfield. But this was not a one-night stand. Recently a second painting was stolen from my
current solo show at Entrée Café Gallery, right across the street from the Fairfield Post
Office. This is no reflection against the establishment; even the finest museums get robbed.
This time the thieves took a watercolor of a peach and red colored peony flower.
Around the same time, a Picasso painting was robbed from Brazil’s premier modern art
museum. Picasso has had more works of art stolen (551!) than any other artist in the world.
My advice to the thieves: help Picasso maintain that status and leave the smaller artists like
me alone!
The Des Moines Register interviewed me three times about my art thefts and posted an
article with photographs on its website. In response to the article, a reader wrote, “I like
those paintings, The first one reminds me of Georgia O’Keefe, and the second one seems
like a cross between Picasso’s cubism phase and Jackson Pollack, and a stained glass
window. I hope she gets them back.”
I wonder where the paintings are now. Maybe the thieves gave one to their mother and the
other to a lover. I want to know—did they like the paintings? Do they go with the couch? Why
did they take and take again—is the business that good? Who wants this kind of art? If the
new owners like my paintings so much, how about calling me directly and cutting out the
middleman?
Why did the thieves steal those particular paintings and not a nearby oil painting priced
twice as high? Was it personal taste or professional incompetence? Did they flunk Art Theft
101? Their fence should be furious.
Many people have bought my art, but no one until now has ever dared risk going to jail for
five years and having it go on their record permanently. The thieves could be considered to
be my biggest fan!
On the other hand, selling paintings is how I make my living. I feel slapped and deeply
complimented twice, but not so complimented that I don’t want my paintings back. If anyone
has seen them, please call me at 641-472-7767. I am offering a $200 reward for the safe
return of the paintings.
I would like to communicate with the robbers: I want you to know that I will drop the charges if
the paintings are returned. Please let me know if my paintings are okay. You could contact
me through my website, www.paintyoga.com. I am not trying to trick you; email me from the
library or somewhere where it could not be traced. Also, I am tempted to tell you: If you know
people that appreciate my paintings, let’s work together. Let’s go legit, I’ll be generous with
commission.
| The Reader January 4, 2008 |
The Ledger
Artist asks for two stolen paintings to be returned
Fairfield artist Suzanne Stryker has had two paintings stolen
from Entree Gallery and Cafe this year, and is trying to get them
back without causing legal problems to the person
who took them.
"I would hate to see the thief go to prison for this
because he appreciates my art enough to rake the
risk of spending five years in prison and having this
go on his record permanently," said Stryker.
"This is a compliment in an unusual way,"she continued. "This
is different than a TV being stolen - you don't feel complimented
because you didn't create it. You are just annoyed because it has
value. So do these paintings. And they are my personal creations
that I have labored over; they are like my children."
"The paintings," she continued, "can be anonymously returned to
the gallery from which they were taken, and this way the thief can
avoid prosecution."
"Once a report is filed, if the police catch the thief, they take over,
and then there's nothing I can do to prevent the thief from going to
jail," said Stryker. "I want to give the thief a chance...I
am not required to press charges if I or anyone else
except the police find the thief or if he returns the
paintings."
According to Stryker, the painting taken in March is "a wild acrylic painting.
Abstract geometric designs were boldly outlined in thick dark green paint and
colored inside with bright lemon yellow, sherbet orange, lime green and thalo blue.
Small purple and green creatures with protruding white and pink eyes added a
humorous touch."
The painting valued at $500, is 16 inches by 20 inches, including the custom-made
frame.
The second painting taken from the gallery last week, is a watercolor of a large
peony in mostly peach and red shades. It is 12 by 14 inches, including a white mat
and silver frame. It is valued at $200.
The paintings can be viewed on Stryker's Web site at www.paintyoga.com.
Artist asks for two stolen paintings to be returned
Fairfield artist Suzanne Stryker has had two paintings stolen
from Entree Gallery and Cafe this year, and is trying to get them
back without causing legal problems to the person
who took them.
"I would hate to see the thief go to prison for this
because he appreciates my art enough to rake the
risk of spending five years in prison and having this
go on his record permanently," said Stryker.
"This is a compliment in an unusual way,"she continued. "This
is different than a TV being stolen - you don't feel complimented
because you didn't create it. You are just annoyed because it has
value. So do these paintings. And they are my personal creations
that I have labored over; they are like my children."
"The paintings," she continued, "can be anonymously returned to
the gallery from which they were taken, and this way the thief can
avoid prosecution."
"Once a report is filed, if the police catch the thief, they take over,
and then there's nothing I can do to prevent the thief from going to
jail," said Stryker. "I want to give the thief a chance...I
am not required to press charges if I or anyone else
except the police find the thief or if he returns the
paintings."
According to Stryker, the painting taken in March is "a wild acrylic painting.
Abstract geometric designs were boldly outlined in thick dark green paint and
colored inside with bright lemon yellow, sherbet orange, lime green and thalo blue.
Small purple and green creatures with protruding white and pink eyes added a
humorous touch."
The painting valued at $500, is 16 inches by 20 inches, including the custom-made
frame.
The second painting taken from the gallery last week, is a watercolor of a large
peony in mostly peach and red shades. It is 12 by 14 inches, including a white mat
and silver frame. It is valued at $200.
The paintings can be viewed on Stryker's Web site at www.paintyoga.com.