[CPProt.net] GATLINBURG - A burglary at Marc Postlewaite's gallery, Nature's Painter on Glades Road netted thieves $18, 000 to $20, 000 in original paintings

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

GATLINBURG - A burglary at Marc Postlewaite's gallery, Nature's Painter on
Glades Road netted thieves $18,000 to $20,000 in original paintings and
$8,000 in computer equipment.  
November 24, 2005

According to Postlewaite, there were eight or nine original paintings
stolen, plus all of his digital discs containing the giclee print scans of
the paintings were taken, along with his computer and a rare Epson 4000 wide
format giclee printer.
 
"They pretty much put me out of business because I don't have the originals
to rescan," said Postlewaite, adding that the theft is under investigation
by Gatlinburg Police Department.

Postlewaite said he had put a closed sign on the gallery on Friday and
intended to take the paintings out of the gallery on Monday. He said the
burglary occurred between 11 a.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. Monday.

While Postlewaite hopes that someone may have seen something unusual or have
information that will lead to an arrest, he is also concerned that area art
collectors could be duped into buying a stolen painting or an illegal print.

"If someone is looking at an original Marc Postlewaite painting to buy and
they are not buying it from me, it is illegal," Postlewaite said. "The same
goes for my prints, because I'm the only one who sells them."

Legal giclee prints made by Postlewaite may also be identified by an
embossed seal that is easily felt and, while it is difficult to see, is
visible. If there is no seal, he said it is not an authentic Postlewaite
print.

"I would advise collectors not to buy any of my original paintings from
anyone but me, or, if someone finds one of my originals to buy, bring it to
me first to verify that it is not one of those stolen," said Postlewaite.

The paintings stolen include "Tennessee Iris," "Falls at The Sinks,"
"Henwallow Falls," "Morning's Glory," "Clingmans Overlook," "Moss Rock," and
"Still of Winter." To view the paintings, visit Postlewaite's Web site at
www.naturespainter.com and click on "gallery."

* cgrimm at themountainpress.com