[MSN] US. Paintings Bound For Dallas Charity Auction Stolen

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Paintings Bound For Dallas Charity Auction Stolen
Jay Gormley

(CBS 11 News) DALLAS For the past six years, Richard Núñez has struggled to make it as a professional painter.

To make a name for himself, Núñez paints while North Texans wine and dine at area restaurants.

Many of his portraits and landscapes hang at the Sonoma Wine Bar in Flower Mound.

"This is my passion. This is my heart and soul," said Núñez.

But a piece of that heart and soul was stolen Sunday morning.

"Just getting up this morning and seeing the truck open was so discouraging," Núñez said.

Núñez and his roommate packed two portraits of Marilyn Monroe in his car outside their home in Denton. One of the paintings is seven feet tall.

Núñez planned to bring the portraits to a live painting performance at a brunch in Uptown Dallas.

But when he woke up Sunday, the paintings were gone.

"I love giving back my gift, but to have a gift just disappear is so frustrating," said Núñez. "It took six months to paint the portraits."

Núñez had planned on donating the seven foot painting to a charity auction. "Much of the proceeds go to abused women and children," he said.

In fact, a good portion of his work goes to charity.

Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco once purchased a painting at a charity auction.

The thief not only stole from a struggling painter, but the suspect also stole from people less fortunate who struggle everyday.

http://cbs11tv.com/