HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — The Signature Spring Auction at Leland Little kicked off the season on March 11 with 238 lots of fine art, decorative arts and jewelry. Two Ernie Barnes (American, 1938-2009) paintings won the day’s top prices, the foremost being $174,000 ($60/90,000) for “Pool Hall Sharpie.” Barnes was born and raised in Durham, N.C., and was a professional football player before an injury took him off the field. Having trained and practiced as an artist during his career, even earning the nickname “Big Rembrandt” for sketching during games, Barnes was then able to devote his time to painting. Both “Pool Hall Sharpie” and the second successful Barnes canvas came from the collection of Dr and Mrs Percy E. Jones of Greensboro, N.C. More on this and other winning lots to follow; price quoted with buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house.