View from Below

Out of the sunroof, downtown San Diego on a gorgeous Spring evening... taken while cruising in to the Harbor neighborhood...

Neo-Mannerist

1976... I remember clearly sitting in my living room.. maybe 10 years old or so...
Listening to " I Want You" Marvin Gaye's new vinyl at the time. My sister and cousins, singing and dancing. All of us taking turns being the lead singer on our favorite jam... Not just with this album but with lots.. covers spread across the sofa and floor... record jackets out so we could read/sing the words..

I was often mesmerized by the covers of these albums. Sitting for long periods dissecting and trying to see every part them. The cover of this album was one that captured my attention and had me sitting trying to see into the faces of those beautiful black folk.. dancing, drinking, happy, sad, alone and together... while the music played in the background and our teen and preteen selves pretended to embody their passion...

At that time, I had no idea who Ernie Barnes was. Only later in life did I discover more about the man and his art and his life. This week, Mr. Barnes passed away, 70 years of living a life full of success and trials. Living through segregation, always pursuing art even during his days with the Denver Broncos... Hard - Soft.. Bone cracking - Soul searching


http://www.erniebarnes.com/index.html


I love this quote from Ernie Barnes in an article by NPR

Barnes never painted his subjects with their eyes open.

"We don't see each other. "We are blind to each other's humanity."

Farewell to a great artist and Human Being.