FAUX Real: On the Trail of an Art Forger Part 7

Sorry gang it has been a while since my last entry and I hope you welcome me back. The last four months have had its up and downs and now I am in a down time. Why? I am once again seeking full time employment.

As some of you may know I have been in the fine arts, non profit field for 15 years. I lost my position with the local art museum a few years back. I had to step outside my comfort zone to land a job. This Landis investigation helped me to do that. How you may ask how? I met Marty and Jan Sikora of Cincinnati at the opening of FAUX Real last April 1st, 2012. I talked with them about Landis and my experience in the art realm and how I may help them someday with their franchise. Months go by and I stay in touch and still no job. December 2012 comes still no job and much uncertainty going into 2013. Landis at this point did as he said and stopped his scheme, so little activity for me to follow.

2013 comes and Landis follows me into a new season. I was contacted by a veteran writer for The New Yorker and he interviewed me for twelve hours over a two day period and even watched the Daytona 500 with me. We had a great time and I learned some new things regarding Landis. He is still active and I now know of his current, fifth, alias. Look for an upcoming publication on Landis in The New Yorker very soon. It will probably be the strongest piece yet written on the subject and reaching more readers that I know have not heard of Landis.

So back to the job search. The week my unemployment dried up, I got that call from Marty and he hired me on as an inside sales administrator. I knew nothing about the business and being in a for profit world was so foreign. Well to say it simply, was not a good fit and the business was not doing well. I lost my job due to attrition last week. Landis basically was integral insofar that if Marty and Jan had not come to the opening, I would not have had a paycheck for the last four months. I say this to say, don’t get too comfortable in your current position. Think outside the box and make an effort to believe that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Give it your best effort even if you don’t know the first thing about what you are doing. There are people out there that will see you for who you are and what you can do. Take comfort in this folks. There are still good people out there that will give you a chance and I will remember this as I move forward in my life.

Look for the piece in The New Yorker that should come out this summer and as always, keep Trekking!

Talk soon!
Matt