Three oil paintings by Chinese artist Zhou Ling are among eight pieces reported stolen from Island Art Galleries' shop at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

The theft was discovered during a June inventory, and police yesterday released a bulletin seeking public assistance in locating two former Island Art Galleries employees, Francis X. Blackwell Jr. and Ann W. Taylor, who are wanted for questioning about the missing artwork.

"I'm totally shocked," Island Art Galleries owner Jeff Liu said of the theft.

Blackwell, 59, was director of the Aloha Tower Marketplace gallery while Taylor, 58, was a part-time consultant. Liu last saw Blackwell in the first week of June and has not seen Taylor since the end of June but talked to her in early July on a cell phone.

"Blue Hair Wahine" and "Beloved" are among the missing original oil paintings by Zhou Ling. They are valued at $16,000 and $13,800, respectively.

Another missing Zhou Ling original oil is "Nature Offering," which is worth $4,500.

Liu said the missing artwork also includes "Preparing the Corn," an original oil painting by Zhenguo or Z.G. Tongworth ($9,500), and the limited-edition prints "Hawaiian Coast" by Anthony Casay ($1,800).

Anyone with information on Blackwell and Taylor can call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.