Stolen Painting Special to the Register
| Stolen Painting Special to the Register |
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. (See the article, pictures of the stolen paintings, and
paintings that the thieves passed over at www.paintyoga.com. Or better yet, go to Entrée to
see the originals.)
In response to the Des Moines Register 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. (See the article, pictures of the stolen paintings, and
paintings that the thieves passed over at www.paintyoga.com. Or better yet, go to Entrée to
see the originals.)
In response to the Des Moines Register 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
January 4, 2008
Painter Suzanne Stryker on Planet Erstwild
James Moore will discuss art and loss with local painter
Suzanne Stryker, who was the target of art thieves twice right
here in Fairfield.
Her story was featured in the Des Moines Register and
picked up by the Associated Press.
Painter Suzanne Stryker on Tanner & Moore
She shares her thoughts and reflections on Tanner & Moore
James Moore will discuss art and loss with local painter
Suzanne Stryker, who was the target of art thieves twice right
here in Fairfield.
Her story was featured in the Des Moines Register and
picked up by the Associated Press.
Painter Suzanne Stryker on Tanner & Moore
She shares her thoughts and reflections on Tanner & Moore
Art Theft 101
We Recently received correspondence from artist Suzanne Stryker, and what she had to say shocked us.
“I need your help in catching the thief of my artwork,” she pleads.
It seems that Ms. Stryker, whose paintings were on exhibit at Entrée Café Gallery in Fairfield, has been
struck by lightning twice — a thief has stolen two of her ‘babies,’ as she refers to them.
“Normally, paintings aren’t stolen until the artist is dead and the painting is worth a few million!” she says.
“The paintings were uninsured. This was an unusual crime the first time it happened, and certainly the
second time. I feel slapped, yet deeply complimented, twice!”
The first painting is a colorful abstract acrylic painting about 14 x 16 inches, valued at $500. The second is
a watercolor of a peach and red peony, measuring 10 x 12 inches, valued at $200. Images of the paintings
can be seen at her Web site, www.paintyoga.com.
Her theory is that the thief isn’t a local. In a town of 10,000, she says that it would be hard for the thief to
display or sell the paintings without them being recognized. She is pleading for the thief to return the
paintings.
“I am not trying to trick the thief,” she says. “I want him/her to know that I will drop the charges if he/she
returns the paintings — just mail the paintings to Entrée Gallery, 203 West Broadway, Fairfield, IA 52556.
What she’s wondering, though, is why did the thief choose one of the paintings over a nearby, more
traditional oil painting that was priced twice as high.
“Was this due to personal preference or professional incompetence? Art Theft 101 would tell you to steal
the most valuable paintings,” she jokes.
We’re glad to see that Ms. Stryker, besides having a big heart by offering to wait to file charges, is
maintaining her sense of humor throughout the experience. — Roderick Kabel
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On-line Reactions to Des Moines Register Article
VanTrike wrote:
I did a google on this artist - she has a website www.paintyoga.com . Must be the
same artist because her website has a page about these two stolen paintings. You
should see her other paintings online- some of them are really magnificent! I would
like to have several of them. I would also like to have the abstract one that was
stolen. I wonder if she could do another one like it - her website says she does
commissioned work. I can't decide which ones I like best though.
12/22/2007 4:59:13 PM
najane 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.
12/19/2007 11:54:05 AM
Traveler wrote:
I think both pieces are beautiful and it is a shame that someone would have the
nerve to take them.
12/19/2007 8:40:22 AM
VanTrike wrote:
I did a google on this artist - she has a website www.paintyoga.com . Must be the
same artist because her website has a page about these two stolen paintings. You
should see her other paintings online- some of them are really magnificent! I would
like to have several of them. I would also like to have the abstract one that was
stolen. I wonder if she could do another one like it - her website says she does
commissioned work. I can't decide which ones I like best though.
12/22/2007 4:59:13 PM
najane 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.
12/19/2007 11:54:05 AM
Traveler wrote:
I think both pieces are beautiful and it is a shame that someone would have the
nerve to take them.
12/19/2007 8:40:22 AM
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