Ernest Morton Baber, III

Ernest Baber III, who was known as Ernie to his family and friends, was born in Denver, CO in 1949. Ernie loved art and music since childhood. His parents were very encouraging and supportive of his artistic inclinations. After completing his undergraduate work at Western State College, he served two years in the military as a Marine and then continued his art studies at the Colorado Institute of Art.

Realizing a passion for fine art, he sought the finest schools and instruction and consequently moved to New York City where he joined the Art Students League of New York. For three years, Ernie studied under several highly regarded artists, fine-tuning his talents. His greatest influence came from the painter, David Leffel. From Leffel, he mastered the understanding of light and shadow and developed his “painterly” technique.

In 1973, Ernie moved to Europe to be closer to the paintings of the European master’s that he so admired. For several years he traveled throughout London, Paris, Spain and, finally, lived in India for seven years before settling in Santa Fe, New Mexico for 17 years. Ernie finally landed in Carmel, California in 1997.

Ernie has won awards at the Oil Painters of America and Salon International shows and has been feature in The Artist’s Magazine. He was also often a participant in the Artist Studio Tours sponsored by the Arts Council for Monterey County.

The rich cultural experience of Europe is evident in the paintings of Ernie Baber. Artifacts collected during this period appear in the magnificent still-life that Ernie painted. From working with actual displays set up in his studio, utilizing natural light, there is a dramatic quality apparent in his work. Well-composed and jewel-like in appearance, Ernie’s paintings have a magnetic appeal.

In addition, many of Ernie’s paintings are framed in a specially designed frame created by his own hand in a 15th Century technique known as “sgraffito”.

He collects antique pottery and vases that are used in his still-life paintings and combines the objects with fruit, flowers, and rich carpets. Sometimes Ernie had to go back to the market for more fruit…he once joked that, “The grapes were so beautiful, I had to eat them” but then said seriously, “Sometimes they’re so beautiful I have to paint them.”

Inspired by the beauty of nature, Ernie enjoys traveling and painting landscapes on location. His appreciation of nature shows in his landscape, portrait, and still-life paintings where his attention to detail and intuition are mirrored on canvas. He says, “The painting reflects the artist’s vision regardless of subject matter. I love to paint—to demonstrate the abstract qualities and shapes that make up reality.”

Ernie also played the East Indian sitar and was seen performing solo or with various musical groups in and around Monterey County.

Ernie’s paintings are in collections around the world. Anyone fortunate to have one of his masterpieces is lucky indeed as they are wonderful to behold.

Highly prized for their rich quality, many collectors create displays of several of his paintings as they hang so well together. Ernie Baber’s work is in collections throughout America, as well as Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Europe, but his biggest collection is in Carmel, California.

He was a past commander at the Carmel American Legion and served in the Executive Committee helping revitalize the property and programs until his passing. He was instrumental in re-establishing the Boys State Leadership Program. Ernie also brought in the very first ever art show in 2022.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Clampett Jones, his stepson Bobby Clampett, and his wife Marianna and their 5 children: Katelyn Clampett, Daniel Clampett, Michael Clampett, Nicholas Suciu and Anna Suciu Hejlik. Ernie is also survived by his sister Cheryl Baber and brother Larry Baber.