Ernest Nipper is a native of Camden, Arkansas. He graduated from Camden High School in 1952. While in High School, he had his own part-time photography business and was the student photographer for the school newspaper and Annual.

Ernest graduated from Hendrix College 1956 with a major in literature and Philosophy (Magna cum laude).  He Won a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship in 1957 and used it to attend Northwestern University to study for a doctorate in Philosophy -- specializing in philosophy of art. After receiving an M. A. degree he taught undergraduate courses at Northwestern as a Graduate Assistant.

After four years of graduate study, Ernest decided to leave the academic world and joined Illinois Bell Telephone Company in 1960 in an Executive Training Program.

In1988, Ernest retired from his job as Director of Human Resources for Ameritech Communications in Chicago.  He and his wife, Rosemary moved to Sunset Bay ion Lake Hamilton just outside Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Ernest started painting in 1990 as a hobby, but soon became a serious student.  After a couple of years exhibiting his paintings in an El Dorado Gallery, Ernest attracted the attention of Bess Sanders who featured his work in Gallery Central in Hot Springs, in December 2003.  Of 21 paintings exhibited, 14 sold on opening night, a Gallery record.  Ernest remains one of the Gallery's best selling artists.

Ernest's work was featured in the Spring 2005 edition of "Art Galleries and Artists of the South."  A feature article on Ernest appeared on the front page of the Sentinel-Record Newspaper on August 8, 2005.

Ernest's work can  be found in the homes, private and corporate offices of collectors from Boston to Maui, Hawaii.