Solving the Gardner Heist

After studying art crime one summer not that long ago (see: ARCA), I was happy to take all the skills I learned in the classroom, along with my legendary street smarts, and contribute to the burgeoning field of art crime. Yes, after a lot of hard work and round-the-clock investigation, I tracked down Rembrandt’s Storm on the Sea of Galilee at a yard sale in Somerville, MA. This painting is part of the haul from the infamous and famous and unsolved Isabella Stewart Gardner heist of 1990. I crowed over my success on Facebook to Arthur Brand—and bless the man, if he didn’t like my picture.

Mr. Tim Devin, who took this photo, was a critical agent in this painting’s recovery (not so much I need to split reward though). He did discover (for real) the owner of the painting’s partner’s mom (say that 12 times fast) had worked as a volunteer docent at the Gardner. For years. Hmmmm. Hmmmmm!

For now, I’m wondering if in addition to Murder Mystery Dinner Theater $$$ might be made on Major Art Heist Recovery Dinner Theater. What a thrill.

Raven, Candle, Tree on Fire

In my mind, the candle set the tree on fire. This took longer than I thought as it’s not a big canvas, but autumn leaves take some thought and planning and certainly patience. I wanted to do them justice as I’m a big fan. I hope I did. I wrote—almost doodled, really—this poem after an insomniac night: The Raven’s Dream. Autumn day/candle flame/in the smoke/is your name/while your secrets/are your own/all is held/all is known/it’s all seen/in the raven’s dream. Maybe a little corny but do I care? Does my insomnia?