When artist Ernie Barnes passed away in 2009, his daughter Erin inherited more than just memories; she also became custodian of his creative legacy, including partially used paint tubes filled with vibrant acrylics.

Barnes was a pioneering Black figurative painter, known for his joyful depictions of Black life and culture. His iconic work, The Sugar Shack, was sold for $15.3 million, cementing his place in Southern California’s art scene, yet he remains less recognized than his contemporaries.

A new documentary and exhibitions are bringing renewed attention to Barnes’s rich history. The Canton Museum of Art’s latest exhibit, Good Times: The Artistic Journey of Ernie Barnes, aims to highlight his contributions to the art world, while other institutions are set to display his works, ensuring his unique style is not lost to the annals of history.

Barnes’s journey was marked by the limitations of Jim Crow, but his mother’s encouragement and his own keen observation of the world around him, inspired his distinctive style. Even on the sidelines of football games, he sketched with remarkable speed and accuracy, capturing the essence of his subjects.

The physical remnants of his studio, including the paint tubes, serve as a tangible connection to his creative process, a reminder that art is not just about the final piece but the journey of creation.