Who Stole the Jill Walker Prints Off My Wall??
This is a story about Jill Walker’s beautiful artwork disappearing from and then reappearing in my life.
A thief with good taste: One of two Jill Walker framed prints that were taken from my Barbados rental apartment.
The Heist
Renting out the pretty apartment Greg and I own to folks who travel to Barbados is a great pleasure for me. Everyone seems to love our beachfront location in the lively St Lawrence Gap, the breathtaking & expansive view of the sparkling blue Caribbean Sea, and the casual luxury of the place itself.
This is what travel to the Caribbean is all about. This bit of Caribbean Sea view is a fraction of the sea view from our rental apartment.
Renting the place is a personal experience; I and only I handle all rentals. By the time guests to our island arrive, we’ve gotten to know each other a bit; a bit of “bonding” has taken place. It’s not an anonymous transaction.
So I was really surprised when I discovered that guests in our place had removed and presumably packed in their suitcases and taken home the two framed Jill Walker art prints I had hanging in the master bathroom.
Our vacation rental: St Lawrence Beach Condominiums, "Deja Blue," Apt 11
A Classic Whodunit
I didn’t discover the heist until weeks or months had passed. This is because turnover occurs quite quickly: guests depart and new guests arrive, usually on the same day. My faithful and hard-working colleague Monica Greene greets our guests, makes sure they’re comfortable, and keeps the place sparkling clean during their stay. I stop by during the guests’ stay to offer a welcome gift and say hello.
I also enter the apartment to replace vases, duvet covers, coffee cups, rugs, towels, artwork on the walls, and so on … it’s fun to keep the place fresh and pretty.
I noticed the bare wall in the master bathroom in early September. I immediately called Monica to ask what she knew. She said the wall had been bare for a good long time; she thought I was replacing artwork. Of course she didn’t think someone had packed the art in their suitcase; who would do that?? And why, when anyone could walk down the Gap and purchase the same thing at the Best of Barbados or Walkers World stores for a reasonable price?
My first thought: “It’s about me.” Did I personally offend someone I rented to? Did someone feel ripped off by the $200 a night price?
My second thought: “What goes on in the mind of this person?” Did the person …. just …. like …. them …. and thought they would look nice in their home? Once they hung the artwork, did they look upon them fondly, as a special souvenir from Barbados? Do they gaze upon them today without guilt or remorse? Do they feel a high from “getting away with” something? When guests come into their home and say “nice art,” does the thief say, “Thanks. I stole it from this lady’s apartment.”
My third thought: “Worry” Will they rent from me again?
My final thought: “Enjoy!” I hope the person who has the art is enjoying it. Jill Walker is a special person and her art beautifully captures the more innocent Barbados of decades past, a simpler way of life that’s mostly gone now. We’ve all had things taken from us; in the final analysis, they’re just things … I want the taker to appreciate and enjoy the specialness of these images.
I placed new framed Jill Walker artwork in the bathroom.
The Circle of Life
Friends invited Greg and me to a fundraiser for their son’s school this past weekend. There was a “Chinese auction,” in which participants purchase $10Bds ($5US) tickets, sign their name to them, and place them in boxes in front of the various items on offer. At the close of the auction, a ticket is drawn and the winner is announced.
I placed a bid on Jill Walker artwork on a set of six place mats, each one featuring a different painting by Jill. Beautifully constructed, the place mats are a high quality hard surface backed with cork.
~~~~~~~ You already know where this story ends, don’t you? ~~~~~~~
When my name was called I sprang up to the stage to collect my prize and whisper a little prayer of thanks to the gods who decide such things.
The new place mats will look so cheerful in our rental apartment. May they long be enjoyed by our guests.
I propped a couple of the place mats up in the window of our patio to take this photo for you; aren't these sweet images?
3 Responses to “Who Stole the Jill Walker Prints Off My Wall??”
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Glad the placemats went to a good home Jane! let’s hope they stay there! You know where to get them if they don’t! Maybe some Best of Barbados advertising in the units might help!
Sue, hi. Always thinking like a businesswoman! I do give a packet of info to guests at St Lawrence Beach Condos and in the packet is a coupon to visit Best of Barbados; however, I’m not sure it specifically mentions Jill Walker’s art … I’ll have to look to see.
For readers who don’t know, the writer of this comment is the owner, with her husband Chris, of Best of Barbados. Sue is also Jill Walker’s daughter, an artist in her own right, and a very good friend of mine.
Another beautiful post! I married a poet. Sorry guys, she’s taken.