Ernest Barnes, Jr. (July 15, 1938 – April 27, 2009) an African-American painter, well known for his unique style of elongation and movement. He was also a professional football player, actor and author.

High Aspirations Ring Around the Rosie Head Over Heels

In 1956 Barnes graduated from Hillside High School with 26 athletic scholarship offers. Segregation prevented him from attending nearby Duke or the University of North Carolina. His mother promised him a car if he lived at home, so he chose North Carolina College at Durham (formerly North Carolina College for Negroes, now North Carolina Central University). He majored in art on a full athletic scholarship.

Baltimore Colts (1959-60)[edit] In December 1959 Barnes was drafted in the 10th round by the then-World Champion Baltimore Colts. He was originally selected in the 8th-round by the Washington Redskins,[6] who renounced the pick minutes after discovering he was a Negro. On Barnes' 1964 Denver Broncos Topps football card he is shown wearing jersey #55 although he never played in that number. His jersey was #62. Titans of New York (1960) Offensive guard, 6' 3" 263 lbs. San Diego Chargers (1960-62) Denver Broncos (1963-64) Barnes was often fined by Denver Coach Jack Faulkner when caught sketching during team meetings.[1] One of the sketches that he was fined $100 for sold years later for $1000.

Barnes created the painting The Sugar Shack in the 1970s Barnes created the painting The Sugar Shack in the 1970s. It gained international exposure when it was used on the Good Times television series and on the 1976 Marvin Gaye album I Want You.

Barnes died on April 27, 2009 at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California from blood cancer

Movement Through Color