Sandra Neil Wallace

Imagine loving art so much that you draw with a stick in the mud when you have nothing else. Growing up in the 1940s, Ernie Barnes never left home without his sketchbook. He loved watching his neighborhood and capturing the truth and beauty of the people around him. But in the segregated South, he had no idea how to make a living as a painter. Because he grew tall and athletic, Ernie followed a different path and became a professional football player. While he was out on the field, his heart still longed to paint. You will follow his incredible true story as he balances his sports career with his deep need to create art, waiting for the day his true dream can become a reality. This fascinating biography shows you how one boy chased his passion to become one of the most important artists of his generation. It proves that you can be strong and athletic while also being deeply creative and sensitive.