Theft

I think the worse form of theft is when a gallery pays an artist slowly or not at all. Recently I found out from a collector that he bought one of my works from a gallery over 12 months ago. I heard nothing from the gallery and when I requested the gallery to look into it, I was informed the gallery had just closed for good. At least when someone steals the work it has perhaps gone to someone who loved the work but couldn’t afford it. I reckon you should be able to add it to your resume. Awards – over 50. Works stolen – 5

Ellsworth Ausby was a painter and a professor of painting for over 30 years at The School of Visual Arts. I need an art consultant to advise me on what I can do to move and sell his paintings. Ellsworth Ausby, painter

A small painting of mine was stolen in the late 1970s from an Air Force officers club. A few months ago, I Googled myself and found the painting for sale on a Goodwill sales website. I emailed them the story, asked if they knew who had donated the painting, and also told them I did not want it back, but would consider it a donation to them. They did not know who had donated it. I emailed the story to several relatives and friends, and one of them bought it! One other story … In the late 1990s, I sold bread dough Christmas ornaments at an office craft show and trusted a co-worker to pay me later. I moved to a different city before getting paid, sent several invoices, but never was paid. Somehow that rankles me more than the outright theft.

I have not had one of my pieces of art stolen, and can only imagine how upsetting that must be. But another heartache is damage to artwork while in the care of a gallery. Scratches across acrylic, spackle or paint on the frames, surface damage or edges cracked off encaustic work are all too frequent. One encaustic piece of mine, worked on a piece of gypsum board, was cracked top to bottom when it fell to the floor after being improperly hung. This is especially common when the gallery uses volunteers. “It is not our problem” is the usual response. Has anyone else experienced this?

At the risk of sounding curmudgeonly, it is well to remember that when we give we (ought to) give without expectation of some sort of reward for it; to do so removes the transaction from giving to paying forward for some unknown but expected reward. Tracy Owen Cullimore’s giving is not related to her having been stolen from. It is a random act of badness. Not taking things personally when they are probably not intended personally is letting one’s ego get in the way of one’s pursuit of one’s life. But the keeping of monies from the craft sale (mentioned above) IS a personal “assault”, and cn only be left behind since no amount of anger will get it back; it will only interfere with our own living of your life to its best and fullest. You don’t have to forgive, don’t have to forget, just re-frame it as why shouldn’t you also fall victim to crime at times? Get on to painting something better. As Socrates (Plato?) said: living well is the best revenge. THAT you have control of! Tough luck and hats off to you for future (and greater) success. I, too, have been stolen from (a large wall quilt) from the Jock Singer Auditorium of the Calgary Performing Arts Centre. I was upset that was it stolen and remembered that it was out of my hands and was no reflection on me as a person. (Of course, I had already been paid for it, so I wasn’t directly affected.)

I’ve had a piece of mine stolen from a college library, and I was quite angry at the time. I agree with Mike, though, that when a dishonest gallery steals your work that’s worse. I went through the same thing, with prints disappearing from the gallery and they said they’d never had them, paperwork and receipts notwithstanding! That gallery was out of business soon. The artist always gets paid last, and if there’s no money left, too bad. That’s why I don’t trust galleries.

I had just had a show in a large well-known restaurant/gallery space in Rome, Italy, back in, oh… ’97 or ’98. About 20 of my drawings of various sizes were stacked against a wall for a day or so until I could pick them up. That’s when I discovered the drawing was gone. It still bugs me. On the other hand, it’s kind of flattering that some Italian thought an unknown Canadian’s figure drawing was worth stealing.

And the upside of a theft……(1) knowing that Someone thought it good enough to steal and (2) you can get a lot of free advertising.

Where are the insurance policies with such theft, or damage? Surely the galleries carry some. Whether it is a public venue, homeowner, or on loan to an organization, if “they” don’t have a policy you should. Most insurance companies can write a limited policy for even one event.

A theft can cause a shift in your values, at least, a more nuanced view of value. When I lived on the lower east side of NY, some wonderful things of my father were stolen from me, and I remember thinking that, as valuable as they were to me, they were only worth a shot of heroin to the thief. Not all stolen art is even worth that to a thief. Perhaps an image just speaks to their need and says, “Take me, I will make you whole.” In 1978 or so, I left a painting sketch with some things on a beach while I loaded up the rest of the stuff in my car…it was gone when returned…an 8″x12″ acrylic of a child’s toy dinosaur in a pick-up truck in the sand. Someone must have had a very peculiar need! Has anybody seen it?!!

Sorry, the sentence toward the end should be, “it was gone when I returned.”

I have had paintings stolen from my car, a gallery owner, and three paintings stolen from the wall of the retirement apts where I live. I made a police report each time. The three paintings that were recently stolen mysteriously showed up in different hallways because I “put word out” that whenever the paintings showed up they would always be listed as stolen. I have also seen my paintings at garage sales and thrift stores. I never take it personally because art is indeed “in the eye of the beholder”. I know that when someone buys artwork in a thrift store they must love the art—–or the frame.

I think the only one thing worst than having a “thief” steal an original, behind one’s back…is having another artist wanting a painting, which you give to them, and with the agreement, they will make monthly payments….then, over a year, NEVER HEARING FROM THEM…!??!? I had this happen, and it has taken my “trust” down a few notches…thus far, I doubt I will ever again allow anyone to take an original with the agreement, of monthly payments…but will hold all work, until paid in full…something, that truly hurts my desire to “totally trust”!!!

I had mine stolen and when I saw it next the signature was removed. I said, “Oh thats my painting.” “No it isn’t” she said. I said, “There’s an “F” imprinted into the back,” and we turned it over and there it was. I use one of those letter dies and just tap it with a hammer into the stretcher–not easy to see unless you know what you’re looking for. She said she had bought it at a flea market.

physical theft of one painting is one thing. how about a much greater crime: unauthorized reproduction – read “theft” (at any scale and in any medium) and reproduced in multiple editions/versions? how can that much more serious theft be addressed by a one man band artist without going broke from legal fees considering a doubtful outcome? any comment/prior experience would be greatly appreciated in your future newsletters (sooner the better).

This reminds of a call I got some years back from one of my galleries. The director phoned and said, ” I have good news and bad news “. I replied ” What’s the bad news? ” and she said ” A thief broke our front window and stole 2 paintings one of which was yours “. “And the good news? ” to which she replied, ” I’m insured so I’ve inadvertently sold your painting. He also cut himself on the glass because there’s blood everywhere.”

How do you feel about people taking pictures of your work with their phones? I have had many conversations with artists about this and since my husband and I are starting up a small gallery I was wondering what your take is. Should I have a tactfully placed basket for phones or a sign that says no pictures please. In some ways I see it as a way of taking the image in this digital age and possibly recreating it in print, others to remember oh I must come back for this, I am unsure, please advise.

Your column reminds me of an incident that happened to me that my children gleefully remember. I am a psychoanalyst whose office was robbed. The thieves stole everything that wasn’t nailed down, including many statues. The only thing they didn’t take was a figure sculpted by me. I was insulted!

I am a high school art teacher and I read with interest your article about stealing. I can’t tell you how many of my students’ works are stolen each year, not to mention my supplies that are either stolen or destroyed. Many students today have no respect for other people’s belongings or their work. It’s scary to think that these are our future leaders.

I was perplexed about a statement in the ‘Theft ‘ post. “My friend was a shooter and a drinker, and I figured one of his buddies thought the paintings were half decent.” What does Shooting and Drinking have to do with having a Buddy who is a thief? I go target shooting with several of my Gallery Owners and yes, we’ll have a drink together. Am I in danger of having my work stolen from their galleries? Second, I would have pointed out to Tracy that the Gallery is liable for the loss. She may never see the painting again but she should be compensated.

I had my first show in a brand new art center.The security system was not yet installed and the curator asked how I would feel if one of my paintings was stolen. “Very flattered ” I said, “Very flattered”.

It was a few years back and I was with a gallery in one of our beach towns. Life was serene. Sales were adequate Then…..someone broke into the gallery during the night. The place was cleaned – computers, cash drawers, gallery furniture, TVs and other electronic equipment. The owner was quite upset, and reasonably so, but not for the reason you would think. He was upset because not one piece of artwork was missing. “Why didn’t the thief take any of the artwork?” he said. “Wasn’t it valuable enough to steal?” We told him it just didn’t have street value but he was not consoled.

The story about stolen paintings that gave me a laugh is about a woman who had her paintings hanging in her house along with paintings by other people. Word has it that a thief broke into her house and stole all of the paintings except the ones she painted. Would you go around telling your friends if this happened to you? At least the person who wrote to Robert can get some mileage out of telling people how her painting was stolen from a gallery. Think of it as an investment for PR purposes and spend your emotional efforts on painting some even better ones. That said, maybe she needs a little sympathy from her friends first before she moves on.

It may appear that you have a touch of rose-glassesgites Robert, but I see your point. It’s a good advice to be philosophical about such losses. I would rather be stolen from than be in any kind of a situation where stealing from others would sound like a good idea. Susan Orman says to firstly take care of people, then money, and lastly things. Paintings feel like our children, but they are not, they are just things. We can make new ones every day!

I read this with interest, as most artists, I too have experienced theft. The most disturbing was seeing my painting recreated (to their best ability), an original abstract( with a multitude of paint layers as it was developed)–and put out for sale by the “person” on an on-line site. This was taken from my website. I still have not protected my website from printing images, as I made the website myself and am hopefully, a better artist than a web designer. This being said, the physical theft off a wall, or the on line image theft, it is part of the world we live here and I will spend my time creating new art versus lamenting. Positive energy seems a better choice for me.

I am a little confused by your answer to this letter. In my small gallery in Fairport New York if something is stolen, I make it right with the artist. Meaning the artist gets paid for the piece. I have insurance that covers all the art. I also rotate my art as well as the artist that are in my gallery through several coffee houses and restaurants. I made sure that my insurance covered the art regardless of where the art was be presented. I guess I assumed all gallery owners had similar insurance.

When I was a fine art potter, several of my top-priced pieces were snatched by a woman as my gallery reps were distracted by her husband. She was caught red-handed, but sued the gallery for slander…and won. Cost the gallery owners a fortune. I never got my pieces back. All because the reps who ran after her accused her in others’ hearing. So waddyagonna do? Run after her silently? So wierd!

Several responses to this post mention that their stolen paintings had ended up in thrift stores, dumpsters, flea shows, but none say they were found on the walls of million dollar homes. Maybe we’d like to comfort ourselves thinking the thief had good taste and it is now hanging in someone’s library, but it’s more likely a pursuit for adventure, drug money, or an easy “lift.” I am aware of one artist’s work being stolen because the people were drunk and thought it was a good fun idea at 1am. Word got out and it was returned. People who steal have no regard for the work involved and lack the awareness that the artist would be out of income and may suffer a financial set back. Also, people who see art as only a hobby or the creation of art coming from a magical place, certainly set the stage for people not taking art seriously as a profession. I think we really have no business telling other artists how to respond. Some people will remain troubled because of a loss and gloss over the situation painting on a happy face, while there are fighters amongst us who are willing to take on the person who refuses to pay up. If your empowered by taking on the bad guy, then go for it! More power to you. Thank you for ignoring the forgive and forget, move on, and don’t expect money for your generous vision to the world types.

I’ve had a few of my pieces on paper disappear over the years. What pisses me off the most is, I can always crank out another painting, but frames cost money. I’m sure most artists can relate to that one.

I am a little confused by your answer to this letter. In my small gallery in Fairport New York if something is stolen, I make it right with the artist. Meaning the artist gets paid for the piece. I have insurance that covers all the art. I also rotate my art as well as the artist that are in my gallery through several coffee houses and restaurants. I made sure that my insurance covered the art regardless of where the art was be presented. I guess I assumed all gallery owners had similar insurance. Regular reader of your blog. Jose DeLaRosa

Many art works of mine have been stolen over the years. First, some beautiful drawings I made in Florence, Italy–off the back of my motor scooter in Rome while I ran into an art supply store. A painting from a one-man show on the fourth of July. The most distressful was a small panel book that I had painted of the Misty Fiords on an Alaskan cruise. I was sharing it with a figure painting class at the University of Hawaii and someone swiped it. I would pay a lot of money to get that one back. Every time work is taken there are real feelings of personal loss, sadness, and shock.

Dear Robert, I feel for this woman. Nobody likes to have something stolen. There are some evil people in this world who, rather than pay for something, just take it. When they do get caught stealing, they say “I only took this one thing”. They rarely admit to a lifetime of theft. But when we put something out there, like hanging in a gallery, we need to grow a thicker skin. This can be in the case of hearing what other people think. 90% of the population won’t like your work. Just because a painting is hanging on the wall, does not mean guaranteed income either. So, don’t go spending the money you think you will be making with the gallery…not until their check clears anyway. If you have to, get insurance for your works when they leave your studio. I had a painting stolen a few years ago and it turned up on Craigslist. When I check, there were SEVEN others there as well. Talk about an all time low! The best thing about being an artist is we can always paint another one. No matter what life throws at you, we should be painting everyday. John Ferrie

Robert, It appears to me that as world population continues to increase, there is going to be less of the Earth’s resources to go around. How do you figure “decency and respect” are quantifiable?

I am sorry to hear your work was stolen. Two of my pieces (sculpture, not paintings) were stolen from a gallery several years ago. I, too, felt violated. I also heard the same condolences from friends — “you should be flattered that, of all the work in the gallery, they only took yours”. The words made me feel twice violated, even though the pieces were not among my best or most costly. I’ve had, as I’m sure most of us have, occasion to gift a piece of art to an admirer who could not afford to buy. I’ts a wonderful feeling — you feel that the work went home with the person for whom you created it, the one who loved it, regardless of their means of reimbursing you as artist. But giving a gift of free will implies a sharing of values, a feeling that you, the artist, have been compensated, perhaps not in currency but perhaps in something even more valuable. A theft, however, diminishes the artist, the work and the “recipient”. The artist is deprived of the chance to connect with the collector, and know that the work was valued, not just taken out of context. The suggestions about insurance are good. Now that I am more experienced, I know this is available.

One of my smaller pieces was on display in a city building. It was a high traffic area and chained in a complex manner. The staff were very apologetic and surprised. At midnight, I received a phone call offering me the possibility to buy back my work if I met the thief in a designated alley way in the downtown area. Needless to say my response was, “Enjoy the art.” I was impressed with the ability of the thief to free the piece from its security, set up such an appealing plan, and to wildly misunderstand that no matter what the loss in terms of labour, value of the piece no artist would ever be caught buying back their own piece of art in an alleyway.

Yep, count me among the artists who have had paintings stolen. A gallery that I was in had several places outside the gallery where our paintings were hung and one was a restaurant. The manager of the restaurant let his cousin take a painting of mine and the cousin would send the money later. Not really….. never saw the painting or the money. In another instance, while in a class, one of the students came to where I was painting and was admiring a very small painting that I was doing. When I finished, I laid the painting, still attached to the small block of WC paper on the table. When I started to pack up, the painting wasn’t there. I hope in my heart that I haven’t accused the wrong person all these years. As far as people taking photos of my paintings, I don’t allow it. So, I know that I’m only hurting myself when I get angry about stolen paintings, and I just don’t do that anymore.

Artworks is very personal, an we all have every right to feel hurt when stolen from. It’s a loss, and merits anger and grieving. Theft is NEVER a compliment. Thieves are self-focused. The victim isn’t considered. Theft is for greed, personal profit, defiance, or to cause hurt. If caught they’ll have a ready excuse/answer. Typical yard sale, flea mkt, etc. I think perhaps, it would be amusing to publish photos of stolen/missing artwork. When artwork went missing from a college student show awhile back, images were circulated to other art schools in case they were presented at upcoming portfolio interviews. Perhaps we could have a ‘show’ of stolen artworks on this site somewhere. Might be amusing to see what comes of it.

One of my paintings was stolen from a private home along with a lot of their other possessions. They were recovered but the police did not know the owners. The police found me online and called. I had a record with contact information. The items were stolen on Cape Cod but owners lived in Florida. Happily, they were reunited with their possessions.

My painting:”Lobster for Dinner” was stolen during an opening reception last summer. While I appreciate that I was compensated, and the comments that I should be flattered that it was selected, the theft still disturbs me. I believe it comes down to the fact that there is a bit of each artist in their paintings. Taking something that does not belong to you is fundamentally not right. I often think of a comment made by a person who was aware of the incident “Do you believe in Karma?”

I had 2 incidents of theft early in life; one was when I was 15 and I did a colored pencil of a ski boot, very photorealistic, after we photographed it the original disappeared; the other 17 were book illustrations for a college level zoology book. It discouraged me from trusting my teachers and professors. I took the 2nd incident to the ombudsman of the college and the professor actually lost his position teaching and is now selling cars.

I recently saw some of your paintings at JPL (Jasper Park Lodge). There is nothing substandard about any of them. I just wish I could find a budget for one.

My experience with painting theft involves a very established (25+ years) gallery that went out of business, then claimed not to know what happened to two of my pieces. They told me at first that they had lost their lease, were seeking another space, and would store my paintings with the others until they reopened. When several months went by with no new place, I contacted the owner to retrieve my paintings. He directed me to a vacant storefront where the gallery assistant met me and brought out my paintings. According to both the gallery’s inventory records and my own (which include images), two paintings were missing. The gallery assistant was certain that one had sold before the gallery closed. When I contacted the gallery owner again, his response was “I don’t know what to tell you, we’re out of business and we have no money in our account.” He claimed to have destroyed sales records, and although I pressed him to search for my paintings, he expressed no concern or intention to either compensate me or find the paintings. I’m frustrated and angry, and plan to pursue a small claims court case, but the worst part is that it’s made me very leery about showing my work in galleries! I’d welcome any thoughts.

It appears to me that as world population continues to increase, there is going to be less of the Earth’s resources to go around. How do you figure “decency and respect” are quantifiable?

I am a little confused by your answer to this letter. In my small gallery in Fairport New York if something is stolen, I make it right with the artist. Meaning the artist gets paid for the piece. I have insurance that covers all the art. I also rotate my art as well as the artist that are in my gallery through several coffee houses and restaurants. I made sure that my insurance covered the art regardless of where the art was be presented. I guess I assumed all gallery owners had similar insurance.

I can also relate to stolen work. I had three pieces for sale in a gallery- framing shop in TO. I recovered two of those but the third a miniature is still unaccounted for though I have given the proprietors a photo of the piece and have requested it back at least 3 times. I paid them for its framing but unfortunately do not have a photo of it framed. The owners think it may have been pilfered but they are not looking very hard. I do have a copy of the consignment contract signed by both parties but it seems to carry little clout. I’ve thought of invoicing them the amount on the contract but am pretty sure that litigation will go nowhere. I’m very ticked because I really like that piece.

I have had 14 paintings stolen in the last 2 years. I live in a supposed artist community and they were taken from the walls in the hallway, 13 in the first incident and 1 last year. I would feel so much better if I knew someone was enjoying them rather them being taken as a grudge and in a garbage somewhere. Police were notified but I never discovered the thief. I was fortunate to have insurance on them so I was reimbursed. I suggest anyone showing their art to get a rider onto their property insurance to cover their art. It only costs $75.to 80. per year.

I gather that the petty theft inflicted upon us is karma for all the innocent little thefts we do through life. Office materials, “sampling” in grocery stores, “borrowing” small items from friends and family and never returning them, taking more than our share at parties etc. It all adds up…

Looking back, of all the thefts I only hold grudge against the thieves of my time. Isn’t that the most precious thing anyway? I am referring to people and entities that engage you for selfish or negligent reasons and before you realize what’s happening, hours, days and even years go by without any value for yourself. It’s useful to ask often – what am I doing here? Is this really what I am supposed to be doing with my life? Pursuing unrecoverable thefts and injustices is after all a waste of lot of time, especially when you know that the matter has no way of resolving to your full satisfaction. If just a grudge is left to drive you, do yourself a favor and turn it off. Make more art – that’s what you are supposed to be doing. Think of all the millions of lawsuits in the world which won’t make anyone’s life better except the lawyer’s. When a few of my galleries went out of business, and we did lot of business before that, I gave each a choice of keeping a piece of mine as a parting gift. In each case the gallery owner had a hard time believing that they are actually being given something at this hardest moment of their business being gone. They were beyond grateful and went out of their way to accommodate me with the closing down logistics. I think that no one is truly good or bad, we just have the responsibility to deal with situations together, and also understand that there is no guarantee that the outcome will be pleasant. It’s all life. Intelligence is our ability to get the best outcome from the circumstances.

I am confused by the essay by the anonymous lady. She says that neighbor/student used her images. She says they think they didn’t do anything wrong, but as a result, this teacher isn’t giving any more classes and won’t tell them about it “because they are her neighbors” . Does this make sense to anyone? Aren’t teachers supposed to teach students about this kind of stuff?

When I was new as an artist in the public domain, three of my works were stolen – one from a grad student and two from teaching staff at a university, one of which parlayed into a large sum of money for the already prosperous thief. I found this to be such a disturbing action for a person to take against an artist, partly because my work was a tangible extension of my heart, thus person and power, and partly because I assumed everyone involved with artists and in the art field knew and understood that, as creative work can only be done in a safe context (allowing oneself to open is risky business), sensitivity and respect are standards to be held in such high regard that violation would be unthinkable. A person who steals (as well as a person in a position of power who disregards the need to address violation with an eye to maintain a safe/trustful society): · dismisses the value of maintaining and preserving trust – essential to any healthy relationship or organism and critical to its functioning – as insignificant or · doesn’t know what trust is · or has learned to mistrust it and those operating in accordance with it. The impulse to rob another of their possession(s) may appear to be a symptom of a have:have-not society, but the drivers are rarely as simple and straight-forward as the need to fill a physical need or want. Those who take from another feel powerless because they have been made so or believe they are so: taking without asking is a way to get some power (real or representative) without having to risk being denied, ridiculed or despised when they directly approach another and ask for what they want or need. The issue for the artist, then, becomes not one of restoration or retribution, but of resolution of the loss: · of security in established boundaries, · of the possession/object stolen, · of belief in others to desire to ascribe to life-honouring ideals, eg. respect each other’s person and property, · of belief in the social contract: I treat you with respect – you treat me with respect, i.e. I will get what I give, · of identity – how must I adapt to the unfortunate reality that others exist – even members of my own group – who do not order their behavior according to certain core values like I do and would even seek to harm me/others? · of belief in a system that values and upholds justice by addressing the violation and the person defrauded, then addressing restitution. So begins the process of letting go – of anger, pain, malice and/or vengeance, meanness, even the desire to close up tight and never open up again! This leads to three questions: 1. How does an artist let go of anger et al when the violation strikes so close to the heart? 2. What makes a space safe? 3. What promotes and even accelerates healing? I’d be interested to know what others think. Deeae

for me the key statement in your blog about thievery is: “Our world is transitioning to decency and respect for property.” A reason to celebrate living in this amazing time.

I have two memorable thefts. The first was with me sitting at my booth at a show. I thought it was odd that a guy stood at the edge of my booth for about 5 minutes and watched me.Then he left. I got up and looked around the back side of the booth, and one of my large pieces was missing. I could have gotten angry, but thought to myself, “what higher compliment than to have someone risk fines and imprisonment over one of my works”. The other piece I had done when all the hoopla was on about the “voice of fire” in our national gallery. I am a realist, some would say a high realist, (I actually think its over the edge a tiny bit into the surreal, but what do I know), anyways, I did this small piece which was 4 horizontal stripes, Cerulean at the top, Hookers Green, Yellow Ochre, and Ultramarine Blue at the bottom. I called it “Voice of Tobermory”, put a label on it that said “on loan from the national gallery” and “$4,000,000” I was doing a multi day show, and when I got back the next day it had disappeared overnight, hmmm, this could be fun, news headline “$4,000,000 painting stolen at show”, call the insurance company too.. then I thought some more, maybe, just maybe, the thief has as similar sense of humour to mine. Looked around, yep, there is a nice big blue garbage barrel. Walked over, looked in, sure enough, there was my painting. Laughed about that for a long time.

As others have noted, a big issue (or lesson learned) here is that artists should always make sure that insurance coverage is brought up as part of any agreement. Typically, the gallery should cover the insurance, but if not, it’s important for the artist to know this so he/she can decide whether to self-insure the work. I had a large piece stolen from a gallery, which smelled like an inside job because the tapes, back when they used tapes, were removed from the video surveillance cameras. It was a hassle to collect from the gallery’s insurance, but they ultimately paid. Since I doubt I’ll ever see the piece again or be able to borrow it for a show, I’m VERY thankful I had it documented before it went out into the world. Another good reminder!