NEWLY-OPENED ArtFrame Gallery in Tavistock has suffered a distressing theft and owner Sally Eves says she is 'gutted'.
A Lenkiewicz pen and ink hatch drawing of 'Megan', which was hung on a rear wall of the Duke Street gallery, is thought to have been taken either late on Saturday afternoon, July 14, or early on Monday July 16, while the gallery was open.
Sally said the portrait was the least expensive and least significant of all their Lenkiewicz pictures — some of which were worth thousands — being worth £595.
'The rear door from the market was open for people to come in and browse. We assume someone came in, took the painting off its hook and left by the same door. There was no forced entry.'
The gallery had opened only eight days before and Sally — who owns a smaller shop in Plymouth — said she had never had something taken off a wall before.
'I am gutted. It feels like I have been personally violated,' she said. 'We opened the business to enhance Tavistock and we had a terrific first week — so encouraging. Locals have been very supportive in buying from us and we exceeded our expected figures.
'Hopefully, the nasty feeling left by the theft will wear off in a few days.'
Sally said the premises, owned by her and husband Harry, would shortly be protected by closed circuit TV and video.
PC Paul May, of Tavistock police, said the theft took place sometime between 4pm on Saturday and 10.15am on Monday, but was probably between 4pm and 5pm on Saturday.
There is a small reward for the return of the drawing and any information should be passed to Tavistock police on 08705 777444.