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April 28th, 2009
01:15 PM ET
Ernie Barnes, created 'Good Times' painting, diesErnie Barnes, who painted “Sugar Shack,” the artwork featured on a Marvin Gaye album cover and in the credits to “Good Times,” has died, according to news reports. He was 70. Barnes, a former professional football player, died at Los Angeles’ Cedars Sinai Medical Center Monday night. You can see “Sugar Shack” here. - From news reports |
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Where I find some Mr. Barnes paintings? I live in Frederick, MD
Thank you Mr. Barnes for using all the gifts that God gave you to bless his kingdom. You will be missed.
My condolences to his family. I saw him in his studio about ten years ago and we had a wonderful time talking. I had not seen him in more than 40 years when we were both at Hillside High. I was a little embarrassed to ask for autoghaphs but he was happy to oblidge. He will be truly missed.
Mr. Ernie Barnes brought light, laughter and inspiration to us through his works of art. Along with his work, his smile lit up our souls. How happy he must be to be painting beside the artist, known as God. My condolences to Bernadine and his family.
Thank you Mr. Barnes (June) for your love of community, family and friends.
We from Willard Street know and love you and the Barnes family, and our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Best,
B.J. and the Smith Family
(Brenda Smith Faison, Ph.D.)
Ernie was our mother's neighbor in San Diego when he first started playing with the Chargers. My younger sister babysat his children. My eldest sister helped launch his art showings in various cities. He was a friend and mentor.
Many San Diegans remember Ernie's early outstanding art work that highlighted the ups and downs of the sport of football. His original canvases adorned the walls of the popular "Sportsman Lounge", owned by Charlie McNeil, another great football player.
Ernie was truly a wonderful person. Not to mention his incredible talent as a renaissance artist. He cared about people and helped many of us fulfill our dreams. He was instrumental in my successful career in the television industry. In 1974 I became the first African American woman stage manager in the Director's Guild of America through Ernie's encouragment and Norman Lear's generosity. Those were the "good ole days".
May God be pleased with his life amongst us and receive Ernie into His kingdom. May God bless and strengthen his wife Bernie and their entire family.
Imet Ernie and his wife many years ago in Studio City Ca. when I was managing a Dales Food market that they frequented. Ernie was one of the nicest and kindest people that I ever met, just a wonderful person. He gave several signed lithographs to me over the years, a signed San Diego Charger Football and even tickets to a World Series game. I have followed his career closely over the last Thirty Years and how fantastic he did. A magnificent artist and more importantly a great human being. I wish his family well and god bless the great Ernie Barnes, a man that I will always remember and talk about in awe.
Mr. Barnes to me was a master painter. I am an artist myself and I studied his work to style my own after his. You see we as African Americans in this country must recognize him for who he was in the world of manhood and art. He was as great as the Monet, Manet, Rubens, MichealAngelo etc... He falls in that catagory of the greats artist of this world. He change my life and the way that I approached my work. I too am a former football player began to see the field as a canvas much like Mr. Barnes saw it. From the first time I saw Sugar Shack on the show Good Times as a child I was smitten by what my young artistic eyes were looking at. Sadness overwhelms me!!!!
Never been a Jamie Foxx fan. A little to crass and I agree "egotistical", however, he was phenomenal in "RAY" I found myself both repuled and fascinated. He was also outstanding in "Dreamgirls". Just as, I had to admit, last night that he was remarkable in what he brought out in those contestants. Finally, someone helped Danny Gokey to impress me with his talent.
Agian, don't like Jamie but talent is talent and has to be acknowledged.
Its ironic that i was looking at Good Times episodes this past weekend and the artwork just stood out more than usual to me. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Ernie Barnes. My peace be with you through this difficult time.
I have two of your paintings in my home – they are beautiful.
Thanks Mr. Ernie for your talent.
"Sugar Shack" is forever this memory: Me as a kid sprawled on the floor two feet from the tube watching reruns of "Good Times" on the old local Boston Channel 56. Thank for that memory Mr. Barnes.
The time of the artist is fleeting, but the time of their creations will live on for as long as we are here to admire and respect the beauty and passion they have created.
We just love Mr. Ernie Barnes' work! The I Want You album by Marvin Gaye was one of my favorite albums. When Marvin passed away, that album was on the turntable....and just tonight, I was at Mr. Barnes' website excited about how dynamic his work is. I looked at Sugar Shack and still admired his distinctive flavor.....he will be sorely missed.
ernie was my friend and family, he was an incredible human being, funny and larger than life. he and bernie(his wife) had an incredible love affair that we all should wish for in our lives. i will miss him, his joy, laughter and beautiful smile. god bless. love you ernie
I was an admirer and collector of his works. I did get to meet him during his NYC exhibit in Nov. 1990. He was very cool...he wore some very large, stylish glasses. He will be missed! Thank you Ernie, see you on the other Side!
Loved his artwork's energy. It always made me feel good and you could look at it for hours at a time. I appreciated it more the longer I admired it. Mr. Barnes will live on through his wonderful art. Great talent lost... but never to be forgotten. Thank you.
Will be greatly missed and I enjoy all of his artistical work. Rest in peace, my condolences to the family.
rest in peace, my condolences to the family.
We lost one of the greatest artist the world has ever seen
Ernie Barnes was one of my favorite artist of african american art work and i have seen almost every painting from the sugar shack to the new painting he did for one of my favorite hip hop artist kayne west called a life restored and i loved his motivational sports posters too...he will missed...to mr.Barnes THANK YOU VERY MUCH
I have a framed poster of "Ninety-Nine, A'Hunered" hanging in a place where I will see it every time I walk through my house. This artist will be missed. I offer most sincere condolences to his loved ones.
Mr. Barnes paintings were alive with the vibrancy of life. I for one will miss his vision.
His work is magnificent! He will be missed, my deepest condolence to his family and friends.
My heart goes out to the family of Ernie Barnes. Too bad we couldn't have gotten more of write-up from CNN for such a talented artist whose works are forever recognized and embedded in the minds of so many different people without most even knowing who he was or even his name. May he receive his crown in Glory!
The last of the immortals
I am so sorry to hear about this loss. I will pray for his family.
Mr. Barnes, Thank You!
Rest in peace, Ernie. You will always be an inspiration!
I grew up looking at your work in my parents den, I am so sad you will no longer be here RIP Mr. Barnes.
A great talent. His work captured the spirit of a new generation of African-Americans.
"Sugar Shack" is tatooed in my brain and in my childhood. Thankyou Mr. Barnes, your talent will be missed.
I went to school with his daughters; he spoke @ our 6th graduation...He'll be truely missed.... Tremendous talent
Mr. Barnes art was engrained in my memories from a very early age. The world has lost a great talent with a an amazing ability to illustrate a vibrant time in our history.
R.I.P. to Mr. Barnes. Respect always for the work you left us to enjoy.
The creative talents of this artist truly captured the essence of Black America 1970's style. He has certainly made his mark on all of America by sharing his mental images on canvas. My condolences to the family as well.
I've had four of his works on my living room walls. Didn't know he played pro football. I salute you, Ernie!
I am sorry. I meant the loss of this great artist.
Sugar Shack is a classic artwork, have it hanging on my wall. He will be missed
I am saddened by the lost of this great artist. His images were captured in the midst of beautiful, fluid movements that made you hear the music to which they danced, walked and glided.
He will be missed.
I send my deepest condolences to the family. Ernie Barnes was a modern "Renaissance Man" his talent and spirit will be missed.