Greetings friends and loved ones,

Yesterday 4:30 pm I was making a pitstop at one of my favorite spots to get art supplies in Downtown LA yesterday afternoon and came back to find my car had been broken into. I looked through the busted window, in complete shock, to see that not only my completely replaceable laptop, iPad, and work computer bag had been taken but also that my completely irreplaceable art bag, which contained hundreds of dollars worth of supplies and a portfolio of 15-20 unique pieces of art that I'd spent 30+ hours preparing was gone too. I couldn't even scream. I sat in my front seat for a while and remembered that my iPad finding software was enabled and saw that it was on the move across the city. When I called 911 I didn't know what to expect but they informed me that there was little I could do even though I had active tracking information on the device, updated every 5-8 minutes. When I gave up on trying to get help from the police, watching my iPad move further and further away with my art, I decided I couldn't live with myself unless I tried my best to get it back. Over 5 hours I went from place to place, east LA to UCLA to West Hollywood and finally to the drive around Griffith observatory following the device. While I was able to track the iPad to a specific car, an idling car that I'm 70% certain contained the device, and all I could do was beg the driver to give me back the art and keep everything else. This was not a safe choice but I just didn't know what else to do to live with myself but to try. They shrugged, denied they had it, and as I got into my own car they sped off. I was able to get the license plate but I don't think it will be enough to get my art back. I drove back to Riverside last night completely devastated, feeling a little dead inside, and not even able to process it by drawing because my supplies were somewhere in somebody's car in LA.

I'm not in the habit of asking for money so I was hesitant to do this. This GoFundMe is for anybody who wants to contribute whatever they can if they've enjoyed my art and want to offer help getting me back to work with new supplies. I can offer, to be redeemed by anybody who donates, to make a piece for you in the style of the art that was taken. It is a calligraphy style that I've been working on for the last 3 months and I can do it on black or white paper per your preference. I also appreciate anything and everything you are able to donate if you don't want artwork and to just support me in this current loss I'm going through. I've already been blown away by the number of kind words and people who sent me donations directly without me even asking for them.

I've already ordered more material to get started but it's definitely not close to what I had yet. I have figured out that I am not going to be able to process this until I'm back to work drawing again. I had about $400 worth of supplies in that bag (good pens and paper cost a bit more) and for the 15-20 pieces lost I was hoping to sell them for between $100-150 each, some with offers already made. Getting anywhere close to $500 I'd be well on my way to getting back to work in the coming week but it will never replace the individual moments captured in each drawing.

Thank you for reading this. This brutal moment changed me but I've also been changed to know how many people out there are rooting for me and my work. I thank you for all of your time and please, please do not leave your valuables uncovered or apparent when you park in a city, even if you're in a hurry and plan to only be gone for 15 minutes. I truly appreciate you and while I couldn't even fathom drawing another picture anytime soon this morning I am starting to feel complete again with this outpouring of support.

Best,

Andy Patalano