Encouraged by the many fine artists working at WDI, Ernie began exhibiting his own personal art in 2003 and has participated in several group exhibits since then. He held his first solo exhibit “Europe, Asia and the US” in 2005 and followed up with a second one-man exhibit “Bell’ Italia” at the Ebell Club of Los Angeles in 2007. His oil painting Ponte Vecchio was included in the exclusive 2008 California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibition and his painting Shelter from the Storm recently won first place in the Ironstone Vineyards Spring Obsession Competition. Since 2009, Ernie has held annual art exhibitions at TAG Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, Ca.