art

I just got ROBBED!

73 Comments

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Crap. I got the keys to my new apt and they were sticking in the lock. I hauled my 3 favorite paintings up the steps with 4 or 5 big flat cardboard folders full of drawings and pastels and watercolors on paper. There was a lot of art paper in the folders too. I couldn’t open the door or get my key out of the lock so I ran back to the office which is only about 50 yards but they were closed. It was 5:00. so I went back to my apt and my stuff was gone! I left it leaning against the door because it was so heavy to lug back down. I was only gone 5 min. tops. One of my new neighbors robbed me. The magnolia painting is gone.

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The swamp painting I worked on for months is gone. I filed a police report and called the apt. maintenance guy and told him to look for my paintings when he goes into the apts. Technically it’s larceny not robbery.

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The Chinese paper bush painting is gone and all the best drawings I did for so many years are gone.

They can’t sell that stuff.

I’ll keep driving over there in case they change their mind and put it back out by my door. but damn. Just when I thought I was so lucky.

73 thoughts on “I just got ROBBED!”

  2. Wow! I guess you could choose to be flattered someone loved your paintings that much. They are beautiful. I sure hope they find the culprit – not cool! Didn’t we all learn stealing is wrong in kindergarten? SMH.

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    1. They didn’t have time to look at the paintings they just saw stuff and grabbed it. Now they’re looking at my art and realizing they committed grand larceny for stuff they can’t sell.

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  4. So sorry that’s happened to you. It didn’t seem right to like the post without commenting. I’ve had similar experiences with cars having had two broken into and pinched. I hope you get your paintings back.

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  5. That’s terrible. I know the feeling I was burgled several years ago and they stole my pc. All my artwork was on there. I managed to get a new computer and copy the images off the Web, but I am still missing hundreds of drawings. Hope they return them. X stay safe

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  16. Chris that’s terrible news. I really hope someone does the right thing and returns your work. I’m looking for some small upside from this for you, and all I can find is that your work is worth someone getting a criminal record for. It surely is only the elite that have their work stolen in heists, no?!

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    1. Thanks for your sympathy. I don’t know what to think. That stuff has no value to anyone except me. They can’t sell it for drug money.
      When I was in Richmond one time I was talking to someone about how the nonprofits look unsafe to me. They’re sprawling and have doors in back that someone could walk out with a painting. And the person told me that happened to a guy who is very active in the art community. They put it on the news and the artist got a lot of sales because of it. That won’t happen to me because I never had the support of the real life art community. I am thankful for the support of the bloggers.

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      4. If you want to buy one send me an email and make an offer. Don’t worry about it, whatever you can afford and I’ll tell you if I’ll let it go for that. admin@chrisludke.com I’m not pricing anything but would be glad to get a sale. Thanks for your interest.

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    1. Thanks. I have a lot of mixed feelings about it. I’ll leave the sign on the door because criminals are superstitious and maybe I can scare the thief. But if I never get that stuff back maybe it was just practice because I gave up trying to sell my art years ago.

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      1. Your art is truly beautiful. May this opportunistic theft not embitter you. Saleability doesn’t always equate to true value. Please don’t let this loss rob you of the treasures still inside you waiting to be expressed. 💕

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  18. I can’t even believe it… I feel ill. I just can’t believe it. I can just imagine how it must feel… my gut is in knots for you…. it’s horrible!!!!! Okay, trying to breathe…. you are such a zen person… your courage amazes me… I love what some have said above… so optimistic and true. But what this thief has done is nothing short of inexcusable. Why couldn’t they have asked you for it instead???? Or earned the money to offer to buy it? I wish things like this wouldn’t happen… I don’t think thieves understand how violating it feels to be robbed. I’m not sure what you’ve put on the door… but maybe leave a heartfelt letter saying how much they meant to you? and that they are irreplaceable, and that you worked for hours on them, and if they leave them back there, you’d be super grateful?? Something like that. Oh my…. just still can’t believe it. Hugs and sad and massive WTF commiserating head-shaking… and a glimmer of hope that they will be returned to you somehow. And that was one of my favourite paintings!! Sending love.

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    1. thanks! I appreciate the support! Yeah, I’m still zen even with moving and getting robbed. Do you remember Alfred E Newman? “What me worry?” That’s me. hahah You’re much nicer than I am about it, I’m not writing some nice request. They get a threat. I’m breaking the lease. I think I can get my money back. The thief has till Mon to return my art or they get cursed. That’s all I can do. I flip the bird in their direction. I’m putting my things in a mini storage next week and stay in a hotel until I find an apt. No big deal, I did it before. A few times I thought I was homeless, turned out my home is 3000 miles across. I drove it more than once. But that was just me being free. Thanks for caring.

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      1. Oh my…. you are fierce!!!! I LOVE IT!!!! This is so full of strength and energy and just your general verve and awesomeness. Fab and honestly, so uplifting. Thanks for this awesome response. xoxoxo

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  20. I wonder if some busybody didn’t just think it was stuff cluttering up the area and removed it. Check the dumpster? No matter, it’s still a personal tragedy to lose so much of your artistic life.

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    1. They heard me lugging that heavy stuff up the steps and knew someone was moving in. They only saw stuff and grabbed it. The paintings were sandwiched between the cardboard folders. They probably slid the whole stack right into their door the minute they saw me go to the office. Yeah, it’s a bummer. Thanks for your thoughts.

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  22. Unfortunately, there will always be criminal opportunists out there. Like those who take advantage of cars running outside of mini-marts while their drivers are doing a quick shop. Wish you good fortune on recovering your stuff, especially because of the work you put into them.
    Art

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  23. Hi Chris, wow! Such a heartbreak—to think someone would do this. I sure hope it works out for the best in the end and all is made right. These paintings are gorgeous.
    Nina

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  24. So sorry to hear your news. I can only imagine how upsetting it would be to lose the things you put so much of yourself into. I hope you get your pictures back, and I know you have plenty of great ones to come!

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    1. hi Phil, It is aggravating. I’m not shedding more than one single tear over it because there’s a chance I might get my things back. Now I’m having a connectivity problem with my lap top. I think dirt got between the screen and the keyboard. There’s these flashing horizontal lines. It might go away because it did before. It’s working, I just can’t see what I’m doing. hahahah Oh well. I have a great view for cheap at this hotel. I’d like to ride out the crazy here, but I really should try to find another apt. Thanks

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  25. Goodness. God. Apparently I’m walking through Your blog in a haphazard, all over the place motion so I’m just now seeing how it happened. That’s pretty crazy and mindblowing. All I can say is that if that’s the kind of neighbour(s) You were going to have….I’m happy it happened the way it did instead of after You moved in and ALL Your stuff was there. Seriously sucks though. I’m glad You are alright. But….damn. ❤️❤️❤️

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    1. Yeah, I’d have hated it the whole year if I took that apt. My whole life is crazy. Weird things like that make me wonder what’s going on and is this a message for me. I got my stuff back. I’m ok and I hope you are too. Thanks

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      1. YAY!!! OH WOW! I didn’t realize You’d gotten Your stuff back. Ok. Before I knew THAT, and when I originally read this post, for whatever it’s worth, I smiled because my very first thought was, “WOW! She’s got serious angels around her.” I’ve been through some seriously crazy times as well….things I still don’t begin to understand the whys of…but everything always seems to work out alright…and I end up places that are very good for me that I perhaps might not have chosen if left to my own accord…life delivered me, in retrospect, just where I’ve needed to be. I hope this doesn’t sound trite and I apologize if it feels like a silly, preused Sesame Street band-aid I’m trying to put on Cancer….just know You ROCK, You are a lovely light on the planet and I have full faith You’ll land in the perfect place for You and continue flowing Your amazing art with Joy! Sending big hugs Your way! 🤗❤️😊

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      2. You are so lucky to be where you feel like you belong! In a good place! I have only temporary residences and have been in dangerous places all too often alone. I guess if there is an angel watching over me, I don’t know, maybe. A lot of people don’t settle down and it’s for their own good, like nomads. They’re happy. I’m ok with moving around too. It’s the way my life worked out. I never felt like I could say this is my home and I’ll never leave, unless I consider the US as my vast home. I experience a lot of weird coincidences by letting myself be blown around by the winds like a tumbleweed. Thanks for your support! You rock too! Thanks, friend!

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      3. Oh gosh…it’s absolutely my pleasure! And Thank You for Your support as well! You know, it takes a lovely courage and openheartedness to let Yourself “…be blown around by the winds like a tumbleweed.”! I like that You compare Yourself to Nomads. There are SOOO many wonderful ways of being. And what an exciting, never boring, very interesting and vastly educational way to move through Your life! You gifted a huge smile when You said, “…unless I consider the US as my vast home.” That’s pretty great!!! But…man! You’re gonna need one HUGE doormat! 😅 YAY to Your dance on the planet and a huge Cheers! to You!!! 🤗❤️😊

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