Tolliver began his career as a painter after an accident from his time at a furniture store left him unable to continue working. His colors are applied in thick masses within what appear to be elementary compositional frameworks. Tolliver often uses house paints and works on cardboard, wood, paper, or book covers, and he is often inspired by illustrations in children’s books. He was included in the 1982 exhibition Black Folk Art in America 1930–1980 at the Smithsonian’s Corcoran Gallery, which cemented his place as one of the major self-taught artists of the 20th century.
