Ernie Barnes: Artist-Athlete
Ernie Barnes was an artist and a football player. His “Sugar Shack” painting to the left is famous from the TV show “Good Times” and as the album art for Marvin Gaye’s I Want You.
Born Ernest Barnes, Jr. on July 15, 1938, to Ernest Sr. and Fannie Barnes during the Jim Crow era in Durham, North Carolina, his mother worked as a home helper to a wealthy lawyer’s family.
Ernie got through college on a football scholarship to the all-black North Carolina Central University, majoring in art.
According to the Ernie Barnes.com website, “The Company of Art“:
He was drafted by the then-World Champion Baltimore Colts football team. He then spent the next five seasons as an offensive lineman for the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. In 1965, New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin recognized Barnes’ artistic potential and replaced his football salary for one season so he could devote himself “to just paint.”
One year later, Barnes made his debut in a critically acclaimed solo exhibition at Grand Central Art Galleries in Manhattan and retired from football. His autobiography “From Pads to Palette” chronicles his transition from athlete to artist.
Ernie Barnes’ first professional exhibition was a sell-out, beginning an ongoing, long relationship with the Grand Central Art Galleries, as well as the McKenzie and Heritage Galleries in Los Angeles.
Ernie Barnes: Born July 15, 1938 – Died April 27, 2009
