Jacksonville artist speaks out after painting stolen from Green Room Brewing, community upset

The local art community is banding together in an effort to find the person responsible for stealing a painting.

The piece was taken from a local microbrewery.

Action News Jax Courtney Cole talked to the artist who said it’s about more than just getting his work back.

As a graphic designer, Mobarick Abdullah III says he's always been creative.

But it was five years ago that he decided to take a chance and pursue his passion full-time.

"Then I realized I could do paintings and make money doing so it was a life changing day."

Thursday was another day Abdullah says he won't forget.

“I got a phone call yesterday from the general manager who said it was some activity by the painting. Next thing you know, it’s not there anymore.”

The Star Wars-inspired piece you see in the bottom, right hand of the photo was stolen from Green Room Brewing Microbrewery last Saturday.

It took him two days to create.

"You feel a little violated when you hear that. Something you work on ... it’s from the heart. It’s what I do for a living, so this hurt a little bit,” Abdullah said.

The Beaches are a tight-knit community and as you can see by the number of shares and comments on the Facebook created by Green Room, they're doing what they can to get the word out and get it back.

Several hours go into creating each piece, Abdullah says this was the first piece he's had stolen, and he hopes it's the last.

“It’s not about the money, you know? My pieces are like my children. It’s personal still. I just can’t imagine someone stealing someone’s art."

Abdullah would really like to see the painting returned.

But he says if the person likes it enough to keep it, he'd at least like for him (or her) to pay for it.

Cox Media Group