The one-of-a-kind $8,000 painting that went missing was discovered after KPRC 2 contacted UPS.

HOUSTON – The one-of-a-kind painting that disappeared after the artist took it to a UPS pickup point to ship to a buyer in California was discovered after KPRC 2 investigated the case.

The artist spent a week trying to find him, but after KPRC intervened, he was found within minutes.

Alvin Roy has been an artist for over fifty years.

“A lot of it has to do with my family and my relationship with Indigenous peoples,” Roy said.

He says it took him a month and a half to complete the missing piece, called “African Jazz,” which cost about $8,000.

On Monday, he sent it via UPS to a buyer in California. They were supposed to deliver in two days, but they never did.

Although the tracking number says he was detained at Mykawa Road Station, staff say he was not there.

“How could it be in the same place for a week and no one knew anything about it?” Roy asked.

He says he made several attempts to contact someone at UPS who could give him an explanation.

“Now I was told UPS was investigating and I asked, ‘What is the scope of your investigation? And why am I not kept informed of what is going on in your investigation?” Roy said.

We contacted UPS and within about 20 minutes received an email response and a phone call from UPS.

“Thank you for your inquiry. I am pleased to inform you that this package is not lost, but delayed in transit due to ice in Dallas last week. The package should be delivered by Monday next week,” the representative said.

“It’s a bullshit. This is nonsense, because these trains have been running since last week,” Roy said.

“On the one hand, yes, I am satisfied. But I don’t think the picture would have been found if you [KPRC] didn’t interfere.”

A UPS spokesman says the painting is currently on a train that recently left Yuma, Arizona.

Roy says his mind won’t rest until the buyer signs the package.

He also hopes it will send a signal to UPS to find better ways to communicate with its customers.

He says despite it all, he’s grateful we stepped in to help.