Worldwide many people know about Ernie Barnes because of his famous painting entitled “Sugar Shack”.  This painting was displayed on the popular sitcom “Good Times” and was also utilized as an album cover for the late but great Marvin Gaye’s album “I Want You”.   This painting, however, was created in the early 1970′s but never received any national or international exposure until the “Good Times” television series started showcasing it at the end of each episode and Marvin Gaye album exposed this phenomenal piece of artwork to a mainstream audience.

“Sugar Shack” is known for playing a major part in the creation of the “Black Romantic” genre of art.  This genre is often considered the “visual art equivalent of the Chittlin’ Circuit”.  Ernie Barnes even stated in a rare interview from 2008 that “The painting transmits rhythm so the experience is re-created in the person viewing it. It shows that African-Americans utilize rhythm as a way of resolving physical tension.”

Also, please note that the version displayed on Marvin Gaye’s album cover, and the version of “Sugar Shack” being sold today is actually not the original version of the painting. This version of “Sugar Shack” was painted in 1976 specifically for Marvin Gaye’s album.  Ernie Barnes changed the painting by adding banners that promoted Marvin Gaye’s singles from the album.  On the original version of the painting, Barnes included his hometown Durham, North Carolina’s radio station WSRC on a banner.

As one of the most recognized pieces of African American Art, “Sugar Shack” went a long way to helping establish Ernie Barnes as one of the most famous African American artists of his time.  Ernie was often praised for his ability to “freeze-frame an emotion”.  It was this talent that led to him being labeled as a master of the “analyzed moment”.

View our: Ernie Barnes Art Gallery

Related Posts:

1. Ernie Barnes: Americans In Focus
2. Rest In Peace Ernie Barnes
3. Up to 40% Off the Art of Ernie Barnes

We are currently offering up to 40% off our Ernie Barnes Art Collection effective immediately and while supplies last. We are able to offer these incredibly low prices on Ernie’s classic artwork due to our status as an official Ernie Barnes Authorized Reseller. Please take advantage of these unbelievably low prices on his art prints and posters because once this excess inventory has been depleted the reduced prices that we are now able to offer will end as well.

Below you will find a table featuring selected prints by Ernie Barnes that have been reduced:

Make sure that you visit our Ernie Barnes Art Gallery to view the entire collection and to see all of the new reduced pricing. Our goal is to always pass the savings that we receive on to our customers whenever we have the opportunity.

View our: Ernie Barnes Art Gallery

Related Posts:

1. Ernie Barnes: Americans In Focus
2. Rest In Peace Ernie Barnes
3. “The Drum Major” by Ernie Barnes

Ernie Barnes, the famous neo-mannerist artist, passed on April 27, 2009 at  Cedar-Sinai Hospital at the age of 70.  He died from complications from a rare blood disorder.

Ernie Barnes was best known as the official artist for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.  He also was the “ghost” painter for J.J. on the hit TV sitcom “Good Times”.  His painting “Sugar Shack” is probably his most famous and popular print due to it being showcased during the closing credits of “Good Times” and also because it was used on Marvin Gaye’s 1976 album “I Want You”. 

Ernie Barnes was one of the most succesful figurative artists of his time.  His paintings featured ordinary people and athletes with elongated forms and closed eyes.   They were typically painted in a manner that expressed their physical or spiritual struggles.  His style has also been described as that of a neo-mannerist.

He was born in Durham, NC on July 15, 1938 and was a professional football player prior to pursuing his true passion, Art.  He has been commissioned by entertainers such as Kanye West, Flip Wilson, Sylvester Stallone, Harry Belafonte and many, many more.

He was a tremendously talented artist and a true icon in the African American art industry.  He will be missed.

Additional Resources

Ernie Barnes Biography

Ernie Barnes Video Interview & Biography

Rest In Peace Ernie Barnes!

Related Posts:

1. Ernie Barnes: Americans In Focus
2. “The Drum Major” by Ernie Barnes

Title: The Drum Major
Artist: Ernie Barnes
Size: 26×20 inches
Edition: Open Edition Offset
Price: $125.00

This week our featured art print comes from the legendary Ernie Barnes.  He hails from my personal hometown of Durham, NC.  This print was selected because it embodies the spirit of homecoming.  The time of year when alums return to college campuses throughout the nation.  Now things may differ from school to school but at HBCU’s there isn’t a greater symbol for the fun, festivities and events of homecoming then the Drum Major.  He is the leader of the band and the halftime show’s party starter and at African American educational institution’s we take the battle of the bands as seriously as we take the actual football game.  So this is their tribute, a beautiful portrait of a Drum Major.

And for the uninitiated, I have posted a video of the Fab 5 at JSU below.  Enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqDj77Sycxg&feature=related[/youtube]

Related Posts:

1. Ernie Barnes: Americans In Focus

Below is a video featuring the amazing artist Ernie Barnes. Ernie Barnes hails from my hometown of Durham, NC and is best known for the print “Sugar Shack” which was featured on the cover of Marvin Gaye’s classic, soulful opus, “I Want You”. Enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcVgP2W6aeo[/youtube]

Visit our Ernie Barnes Art Gallery!

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