Stolen camera reunited with owner after tipsters notice her artwork

A stolen camera will be reconnected with its artist owner, after police shared some of the photographs of her work from the camera.

Portland artist Sharon Smith said someone stole the camera and other items — including a toolbox and tools, some art supplies, her passport and other documents — from her car in January.

The police recovered the car and some stolen goods, including the camera, in February. The department shared photos found on the camera Tuesday.

The politically tinged art stood out, and Smith got word of the department’s find after someone did some sleuthing and connected her name to some of the art. It turned out photos were her shots of her art projects.

“He did a Google search of ‘world’s worst analogy medal,’ ” Smith said, in reference to one of her pieces, a send-up of Republican senator and presidential candidate Rick Santorum.

She said she’ll meet with police Thursday to retrieve the camera. She wasn’t sure whether any of her other belongings were found.

“Getting the camera back is like, wow,” she said. “I’m excited. I am unbelievably happy.”