Born to Fannie Geer and Ernest E. Barnes Sr. in Durham. North Carolina during the height of the Jim Crow era.

Enters grade school already familiar with Toulouse-Lautrec, Delecroix, Rubens and Michelangelo

Sneaks into the Durham Armory and experiences his first juke joint. the genesis for his painting "The Sugar Shack"

Graduates Hillside High School with 26 athletic scholarship offers as the captain of the football team and shot-put state champion.

Attends North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central University), majoring in art.

On a college art class field trip to the newly-desegregated North Carolina Museum of Art, asks where he could find "Paintings by Negro artists." The docent responded, "Your people don't express themselves that way.”

Creates "The Bench" shortly after being drafted by the Baltimore Colts. This beloved painting remained in his possession despite substantial offers throughout his life.

Joins the Los Angeles Chargers. Shortly after, the team moves to San Diego.

Offensive guard for Denver Broncos.

First major solo art exhibition. Hosted by NY Jets owner Sonny Werblin at Grand Central Art Galleries in New York City.

Creates first business logo.

"The Beauty of The Ghetto" exhibition tours major US cities.

"The Sugar Shack" cover art.

"The Sugar Shack" appears on the opening and closing credits of the television show Good Times.

"The Disco" cover art.

"Donald Byrd &125th Street" cover art.

Solo exhibition at North Carolina Museum of Art. attended by Governor Jim Hunt

"Late Night DJ" cover art.

Plays Negro League baseball catcher Josh Gibson in the movie, "Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy Satchel Paige”.

Named official "Sports Artist of the 1984 Olympic Games".

"The Maestro" cover art.

Marries Bernadine "Bernie" Gradney

"Head Over Heels" cover art.

Paints "Fastbreak," commissioned by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Releases autobiography about his North Carolina roots and transition from pro football to the beginning of his art career.

"The Dream Unfolds" commissioned by the National Basketball Association for their 50th Anniversary.

Unveils "Victory in Overtime" commissioned by Carolina Panthers founders Jerry and Rosalind Richardson

Bestowed The University Award, the highest honor by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.

"In Rapture" cover art.

Unveils "Angel in Training" commissioned by Bill & Marcia Withers.

Los Angeles, California.

"The Bench" is gifted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for their permanent collection.

"The Sugar Shack" sells at Christie's Evening Sale at the most exciting, fun 10 minutes in auction house history.

North Carolina Museum of Art acquires "Last Hurdle" and celebrates the occasion on his 85th birthday.