If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then thievery might be second best.

A sculpture titled “The Voice of God” seems to have called to someone. The artist, Lane Tompkins, said he noted its disappearance on Oct. 14, although it could have gone missing earlier than that.

The art piece was residing in a sculpture garden outside of Freeland Art Studios, a shared workspace for artists of all disciplines.

Tompkins said this is the first time that he is aware of art being stolen from the sculpture garden.

He has a theory about how it might have gone missing, though it hasn’t been confirmed since there is no security camera footage and the sculpture hasn’t been found. The Voice of God weighs 150 pounds and is 42 inches tall and would most likely require a few accomplices to lift it from the premises, Tompkins said.

Tompkins said he thinks the culprits may have been “a couple of young guys” who “saw something so cool they couldn’t pass it up.”

The sculpture is made of Texas limestone and was carved in 2007. It is curved like an elephant’s trunk and resembles vertebrae on one side.

On the other, there are several mouths carved, something Tompkins had been practicing at the time.

Tompkins explained that the sculpture is supposed to represent “the front and the back of God.”

Over the years the sculpture has garnered a lot of interest but no buyers, Tompkins said. One time, a stand-up comedian almost bought it to use in one of his acts.

The Voice of God was sitting outside Freeland Art Studios for almost a year. Tompkins hopes people will keep an eye out for the missing piece in case they see it somewhere it shouldn’t be.

Usually, limestone can be weathered down by the elements and is not recommended for outside use, Tompkins explained. The Texas limestone, however, can withstand being outside.

“I got away with it,” he said about putting the Voice of God outdoors, “and then someone else got away with it.”

Photo provided “The Voice of God,” by sculptor Lane Tompkins, has been missing from its place in an outdoor sculpture garden in Freeland since Oct. 14. Tompkins is hopeful someone might recognize the sculpture.

Photo provided “The Voice of God,” by sculptor Lane Tompkins, has been missing from its place in an outdoor sculpture garden in Freeland since Oct. 14. Tompkins is hopeful someone might recognize the sculpture.

Photo provided “The Voice of God,” by sculptor Lane Tompkins, has been missing from its place in an outdoor sculpture garden in Freeland since Oct. 14. Tompkins is hopeful someone might recognize the sculpture.