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balkanparamo · 5 months

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The Sugar Shack

Ernie Barnes (African-American,1938-2009)

#art #painting #ernie barnes #sugar shack #black tumblr #melanin #ebony

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ybon-paramoux · 1 month

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Ernie Barnes (1938-2009) - Dancin' with Ma'self

#art #painting #ernie barnes #black tumblr #melanin #ebony #dirty dancing

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psikonauti · 6 months

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Ernie Barnes (African-American,1938-2009)

The Sugar Shack

Acrylic on canvas

#Ernie Barnes #upl #va #art #painting #women #men

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pazzesco · 7 months

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🎨 Ernie Barnes 🎨

Ernie Barnes - The Gospel Truth - 1985

Ernie Barnes - Solid Rock Congregation - 1993

Ernie Barnes July 15, 1938 – April 27, 2009 A leading 20th century artist well-known for his unique style of movement, Ernie Barnes is the first American professional athlete to become a noted painter. His works are shown, collected and respected internationally. In pop culture Barnes’ artwork appears on music album covers, television and movies, especially his iconic dance hall scene, The Sugar Shack.

Ernie Barnes painting "The Sugar Shack" – used for Marvin Gaye's "I Want You" album artwork – was sold for a whopping $15.3 million dollars.

'The Big Ern' - a 24" x 36" self portrait - He gave this painting to Charlton Heston in 1969.

He was #61 for the San Diego Chargers who were coached by Al Davis back then.

The 6' 3" 250 lb. offensive guard was #62 when he played for the Denver Broncos.

Shortly after his final football game, Barnes went to the 1965 AFL owners meeting in Houston in hopes of becoming the league's official artist. There he was introduced to New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin, who paid for Barnes to bring his paintings to New York City. Later they met at a gallery and unbeknownst to Barnes, three art critics were there to evaluate his paintings. They told Werblin that Barnes was "the most expressive painter of sports since George Bellows."

In what was one of the most unusual posts in the history of the AFL, Werblin retained Barnes as a salaried player, but positioned him in front of the canvas, rather than on the football field.