Ernest McCarty, a native of Chicago, now residing in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania and
New York City, has been an artist since he was a child. In Chicago he attended DuSable
High School, Wilson Junior College and Roosevelt University. “I loved to draw as a child,
but had no formal post high school art training. I was busy as a child being a musician!”
Ernest started playing piano at age three and violin at age eight. While in high school
the honor student played and helped conduct the All-Chicago Youth Orchestra. A man of
many talents, McCarty regards his paintings and sculpture as therapy. “While I’m involved
in performing, composing or writing, I petition the Muse and everything I do seems to
flow naturally. If I follow that flow faithfully, life makes sense. It’s only when I try
to control ...well, that’s when I slip up! Painting is a solitary experience, and it gives me
the quiet space I need to work out any inner conflicts.”

Some of his career highlights as a professional painter, sculptor and designer include:
Designed and executed animation art and layout for Bit-O-Honey candy bar TV
commercial; resident set designer and graphic artist for E. T. A. Theatre in Chicago
1985-1989, including design of theater production posters and programs; designed and
executed all art for Lolabelle Restaurant, in New York City, which included 17 one-of-a-kind,
individually hand-painted glass lighting globes and the art for three menu covers; cover art
for Pittsburgh’s own Latin jazz band Salsamba! Mambo del Sol CD; art and design for line of
commercial greeting cards; commissioned paintings, globes and murals.

Exhibit highlights include: C.B.A. Theatre Gallery in New York; The New Harlem Gallery in
New York, and in Pittsburgh at The Carnegie Library, The Gallery on 43rd Street, LaRoche
College Gallery, The Art Warehouse Gallery, and The Three Rivers Arts Festival.