Title: "Yard Sale Treasures"

Watercolor

Size: 20 x 24 in.

Date Published: 1983

Rhonda McEnroe, artist
ENROE Studio of
Owensboro, KY

1983 - "Baskets & Etc." Series began with this composition, thanks to a local yard sale. Popularity proved overwhelming once again with the entire edition "selling out" in two months.

This original painting appealed to the thief too, because this was also stolen the same night from the Cigar Factory Mall along with "Flowers to Boot".

Even after the recovery of "Flowers to Boot", more personal pleas were placed in the Messenger-Inquirer asking for its return, yet seemed to fall on deaf ears; until a call came from St. Stephens Cathedral advising me that it was discovered behind a credenza in their lobby, wrapped in newspaper. I was thrilled that the prayers were answered, not just mine, but the prayers of the caring public as well. I even remember being stopped in K-Mart's parking lot about the painting. I thank you all and remember your kindness and concern.

Article featured in the Messenger-Inquirer of Owensboro, Kentucky, in September, 2003.

"McEnroe exhibit at Brescia to feature recovered paintings: 2 were taken while on exhibit 20 years ago"

By Keith Lawrence

     The last time Rhonda McEnroe exhibited two of her paintings - "Flowers to Boot" and "Yard Sale Treasures" - they were stolen.
     That was nearly twenty years ago at the old Cigar Factory Mall. But security is better at Brescia University's Anna Eaton Stout Memorial Gallery.
     And McEnroe will include those painting in "Second Look," an exhibit that opens Sunday with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Brescia Campus Center.
     McEnroe said the paintings were stolen from a hallway exhibit at what is now the Cigar Factory Complex back when it was a shopping center.
     She said she ran ads in the Messenger-Inquirer for weeks, pleading for the thief to return the paintings.
     Finally, one night, with snow on the ground, she got a call saying one of the paintings was outside St. John United Methodist Church. Later, the other was found outside St. Stephen Cathedral.
     McEnroe's exhibition combines "Private Collection," works she published from 1979 to 1995 in her "Basket" and "Basket & Etc." series, with her more recent "Our Common Ground" series of oils and watercolors.
     "Second Look", which runs through Oct. 2 at Brescia, marks the first time many of these originals have been shown since 1989, she said.
     Show hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
     Kentucky Educational Television has taped McEnroe's exhibition for airing on its "Mixed Media" series at 7 p.m. Sept. 23 on Owensboro cable channel 12. It will be repeated on Sept. 27.