Ernie Barnes ‘Sugar Shack’ dies at the age of 70

Ernie Barnes was a 70 years old painter who did Sugar Shack, a popular painting. Sugar Shack appeared in Good Times and Marvin Gaye’s album.

Barnes is one of the most popular artists in America of our century, but is also known as a football player. Before he started painting, he played football for Broncos, Clots, Jets,  and Charges.

In 1965, Ernie Barnes was playing for New York Jets and Sonny Werblin, the team owner, paid his salary for one season and let him stay home to paint, because he believed he has a real potential. In 1966, Barnes presented his paintings in Manhattan, at Grand Central Art Galleries. After that, he retired from football.

Yesterday, Ernie Barnes died at the Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles but case of death hasn’t been disclosed yet.