Ernie Barnes previewing "Meeting the Challenge" for Seton Hall
Breaking Bread with Ernie Barnes
Early this morning caught a late 70's rerun of "Good Times;" the TV show where the characterJJ is always with brush in hand and paints. Everything that JJ creates is an actual painting byErnie Barnes...There are many reminders of Ernie; a catering on Mother's Day for the Irwin Holmes family who have an Ernie Barnes painting of a tennis player in their kitchen and stories to tell of a lifetime friendship, a search on google now full of him since his passing on April 27th, an awesome late afternoon sky of mare tail clouds, so incredible that it brought tears to my eyes. It was an EB canvas.I have known Ernie Barnes since the 70's when he hired me to play, what else but a cheerleader on "The Super Comedy Bowl." He and another pro football player (and formally Tarzan) Mike Henry, produced. When Ernie learned that I painted, he offered his studio in Hollywood and gave me a key. We have been friends ever since. He referred to me as his "Ace Boon Coon" and best little white friend....I have known him and wife Bernie for many years. Celebrated in Ernie's glory at Steton Hall where he painted a 6 ft. mural depicting the strong academic to the basketball court. Joined them at UNC where his mom Fannie, already in her late 90's, witnessed Ernie as he accepted a prestigious UNC Board of Governor's award...Below are just some of his many marks he made:
1966
- Appointed "Official Artist" for the American Football League
1984
- Appointed Official Sports Artist for the XXIIIrd Olympiad in Los Angeles.
1985
- Named first "Sports Artist of the Year" by the United States Sports Academy
1988
- Honoree, Museum of African American Art, Los Angeles
1990
- Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree, North Carolina Central University
1993
- Named to the "All-Time Black College Football Team" by the Sheridan Black Network
1995
- "Contributions to Humanity Award," by the United Negro College Fund
1996
- "Treasure of Los Angeles Award," by the Central City Association
1999
- "The University Award," by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors
2002
- Honoree, by the California Legislative Black Caucus
2004
- Named "America's Best Painter of Sports," by the American Sport Art Museum & Archives.
2007
- "A Tribute to Artist & NFL Alumni Ernie Barnes: His Art & Inspiration" and exhibition sponsored by the National Football League and Time Warner, Inc. at Time Warner Center, New York City.
In remembering my good times with Ernie and Bernie, so many were in breaking bread. Whether LA, NYC, Hillsborough, Durham or the banquets where his paintings were unveiled and he was presented another distinguished award, much was shared over a meal. Our last personal celebration was when I brought B and B, family and friends together at the Roberts farm in Hillsborough, where BBQ was always my theme...and Ernie loved good southern food; Brunswick Stew, Butter Beans and Corn, Black Eyed Peas, Pecan Pie. When he visited Durham, he always had to stop by Foster's Market for Sara's Mom's Bread Pudding or Foster's Key lime Pie: http://www.fostersmarket.com/blog. But, his favorite food in the world was Butter Fish on a biscuit with molasses and anything that Fannie Barnes had on her stove top!
Reminiscing about his switch from football to art were Ernie's words: "One day on the playing field, I looked up and the sun was breaking through the clouds, hitting the unmuddied areas on uniforms, and I said, 'That's beautiful!' I knew then that it was all over being a player. I was more interested in art. So I traded my cleats for canvas, my bruises for brushes, and put all the violence and power I had felt on the field into my paintings."
So, bring on the clouds; more mare's tails please and pass the Q and Brunswick Stew!
"Ace Boon Coon," Zacki
