In the late 1960s, Mose Tolliver’s career as a landscaper ended when a heavy crate of marble crushed his ankle. At the encouragement of his former employer, Tolliver began painting images with house paint directly onto discarded surfaces like furniture and wooden boards. He is now remembered as one of America’s most highly regarded self-taught artists of the late 20th century.
He was born in 1924 into a sharecropping family that lived near Montgomery, Alabama. After he was injured while working for the McLendon Furniture Company, Tolliver taught himself to paint birds, flowers and trees. He later expanded into painting images of people, animals, mythical creatures and religious symbols.
While sitting in his bedroom that doubled as a studio, Tolliver frequently laid his chosen material across his knees while he painted. His canvases consisted of broken furniture pieces, Masonite, old table tops and anything else Tolliver could get his hands on. He initially preferred to use oil-based paint, referring to it as “pure paint,” before moving on to water-based latex house paint.
With his limited materials, Tolliver often only had a few colors from which to choose. Despite these limitations, Tolliver achieved a harmony in his art that complemented his subjects and backgrounds.
Tolliver’s work was recognized by Mitchell Kahan, a former curator at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. At Kahan’s recommendation, the museum held Tolliver’s first solo exhibition in 1981. A man of humble modesty and extreme dedication, Tolliver dismissed any notions of grandeur and once stated to the museum’s advertising team, “I’m not interested in art. I just want to paint my pictures.”
His work was part of the major 1982 exhibition Black Folk Art in America 1930–1980 at the Corcoran Gallery. It is now in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Tolliver painted consistently until a severe stroke in 2005. He died on October 30, 2006.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Mose Tolliver’s paintings.
Mose Tolliver Rattlesnake Painting on Wood Panel - Circa 1980's
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This is a wonderful naive painting on wood panel by the self-taught black artist Mose Tolliver (1920-2000). It’s a great example of Mose’s unique folk-art style. It features the rat...
Wood
Original Painting on Plywood - Alley Cat
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This is a wonderful naive painting on wood panel by the self-taught black artist Mose Tolliver (1920-2000). It’s a great example of Mose’s unique folk-art style. It features the ratt...
Wood, Paint
Untitled Dragon by Mose Tolliver AKA Mose T (INV# NP3171)
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Morton Grove, IL
Mose Tolliver AKA Mose T Untitled Dragon wood, paint, soda tab approx: 11.5 x 21" date unknown signed
Wood, Acrylic
Untitled Birds by Mose Tolliver AKA Moset
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Morton Grove, IL
Mose Tolliver AKA Mose T Untitled Birds wood, paint, soda tab approx: 14.5 x 19.5" date unknown signed African American Artist
Wood, Acrylic
Untitled Blue Watermelon by Mose Tolliver AKA Mose T (INV# NP3169)
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Morton Grove, IL
Mose Tolliver AKA Mose T Untitled Ble Watermelon wood, paint, soda tab approx: 7.5 x 15.5" date unknown signed
Wood, Acrylic
$500
H 11.82 in W 8.27 in D 0.2 in
"Pierced" (Four Abstract, Bold, Dye and Black Paintings on Stained Paper, Glass)
By Nicholas Evans
Located in Paris, IDF
PIERCED 2021 Paris, France Set of four, abstract, bold paintings framed between glass and wood. Tea-stain has been added to dye on paper, with matte black focal points created using...
Acrylic, Glass, Paper, Ink, Wood
$1,600
H 35.04 in W 28.35 in D 0.79 in
"Eléa Ossified" (Abstract Portrait, Floral, Calming, Roses, Painting on Wood)
By Nicholas Evans
Located in Paris, IDF
ELÉA OSSIFIED 2022 An abstracted portrait with detail of lying roses mimics thoughts caught in time, while capturing the complex notion of aging and beauty. A soft and calming paint...
Wood, Oil Pastel, Acrylic
Untitled Owl in the Grass - Naïve art
By Paul Rand
Located in Miami, FL
Naïve art meets abstract art. Signed and dated to lower right 'Paul Rand 4.6.52. Paul Rand said. “People who don’t have a sense of humor really have serious problems.” Besides being...
Pastel, Acrylic
$1,950
H 25.79 in W 21.26 in D 1.38 in
“So Plant, So Animal” (Animalia, Fuana, Bold Graphic, Abstract, Neutral, Framed)
By Nicholas Evans
Located in Paris, IDF
Bold yet delicately portrayed, "So Plant, So Animal I" is an abstract piece framed to perfection, offering a timeless neutral color palette. The central theme captures the essence of...
Acrylic, Linen, Wood, India Ink
$5,500
H 23 in W 19 in D 2 in
"This Feels like Deja Vu" Figurative Painting 23" x 19" inch by Isaac Pelayo
By Isaac Pelayo
Located in Culver City, CA
"This Feels like Deja Vu" Figurative Painting 23" x 19" inch by Isaac Pelayo Painting size: 23" x 19" in Size framed: 31" x 27" in Medium: Oil, oil stick, and aerosol on wood panel ...
Wood, Oil, Acrylic
Joel Gauthier z jungle Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Joel Gauthier is a Haitian artist who was born in 1955. He is best known for these colorful whimsical paintings of animals in a jungle. He has Auction results as high as $1400 but se...
Oil
$1,950
H 25.79 in W 21.26 in D 1.38 in
“So Plant, So Animal II” (Animalia, Fuana, Bold, Graphic, Abstract, Neutral)
By Nicholas Evans
Located in Paris, IDF
Bold yet delicately portrayed, "So Plant, So Animal II" is an abstract piece framed to perfection, offering a timeless neutral color palette. The central theme captures the essence o...
Linen, Wood, India Ink, Acrylic
$4,500
H 30 in W 24 in D 1 in
"SARAH" (FRAMED) Figurative Nude Painting 30" x 24" inch by Isaac Pelayo
By Isaac Pelayo
Located in Culver City, CA
"SARAH" (FRAMED) Figurative Nude Painting 30" x 24" inch by Isaac Pelayo Medium: oil and acrylic on wood Comes in frame Size framed: 32" x 26" inch ABOUT THE ARTIST: Isaac Pelayo is a head on crash collision between The Renaissance and Street Art. In a household where constant turmoil and violence were more apparent than most a young Pelayo met escape and peace within the confines of himself and his own creativity. Hispanic born in the heavy beating heart of Los Angeles on the seventh day of June 1996. Pelayo was caught in the crossfires of everything that surrounded him but art served as his only guidance. After dropping out of college Pelayo turned from his hyperrealistic pencil portraits to oil painting where his passions grew more immensely. As of today Pelayo’s work is most influenced and fueled by the crème de la crème of old master painters like Da Vinci, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Velazquez as well as graffiti artists such as RETNA, Shepard Fairey, and EL MAC. In 2017 his work caught the attention and landed in the firm grasp of renown rapper and collector Alvin “Westside Gunn” Worthy. He has created several album covers and artworks for the Buffalo rap moguls music label Griselda Records including his personal collection. Pelayo’s paintings are widely recognized and sought out from all over the globe. His collectors include Sean “Diddy” Combs, Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, Jeff Hamilton, Shepard Fairey, Jaysse Lopez, and Everlast of House of Pain...
Wood, Oil, Acrylic
$5,950
H 39 in W 27 in D 1.5 in
Mid Century Haitian Paintings of Jungle Scenes by Felix Bryoché
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Enchanting vintage acrylic paintings on boards of two jungle scenes with African animals and trees in an eccentric composition executed in a distinctive naive style with a lush power...
Acrylic
Lover Boy, colorful humorous woman and Cat
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
oil on linen on mounted board *ABOUT Stephen Basso Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fanta...
Linen, Oil
$4,650
H 1.5 in W 41 in D 31 in
Vintage Haitian Painting of Three Roosters by Paul Nemours
By Paul Nemours
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking mid century Haitian acrylic painting on canvas of three roosters in a lush jungle setting, executed in a distinctive naive style conveying strong emotion with bold colors. S...
Canvas, Acrylic
The Fountain of Youth
By Noche Crist 1
Located in Washington, DC
One of a kind painting by Noche Crist (1909-2004). Noche Crist was an American artist born in Romania. Acrylic painting is made with plaster on wood, which gives the painting a wonderful texture and depth. Painting is signed and titled on reverse "The Fountain of Youth...
Plaster, Wood, Acrylic
$6,500
H 30 in W 24 in D 2 in
"Free Parking on 9th st" Figurative Painting 30" x 24" inch by Isaac Pelayo
By Isaac Pelayo
Located in Culver City, CA
"Free Parking on 9th st" Figurative Painting 30" x 24" inch by Isaac Pelayo Medium: Oil, oil stick, acrylic, aerosol on wood ABOUT THE ARTIST: Isaac Pelayo is a head on crash col...
Wood, Oil, Spray Paint, Acrylic
$4,000
H 24 in W 18 in D 2 in
"HANA" Figurative Portrait Painting 24" x 18" inch by Isaac Pelayo
By Isaac Pelayo
Located in Culver City, CA
"HANA" Figurative Portrait Painting 24" x 18" inch by Isaac Pelayo Painting size: 24" x 18" in Medium: oil and acrylic on wood ABOUT THE ARTIST: Isaac Pelayo is a head on crash co...
Wood, Oil, Acrylic
Within the heart a fire burns
By Evy Olsen Halvorsen
Located in Kingston, WA
This is an encaustic painting with collage. A mouse is photo-bombing the scene. The rabbit is not amused.
Wood, Encaustic
Untitled
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Mose Tolliver Untitled Paint on wood panel 11.8 x 23.8 inches (30 x 60.5 cm)
Acrylic, Wood Panel
Sold
H 28.88 in W 4.25 in D 0.25 in
Snake Hanging from Its Tail (vertical format)
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Plano, TX
Blue Snake Hanging from its Tail. c. 1980-1990. 28 7/8 x 4 1/4 x 1/4. House paint on plywood. Signed, upper right., sideways. Original tab hanger. Provenance: The Johnson Center for...
House Paint, Plywood
Purple Bus.
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Plano, TX
Purple Bus with Passengers. c. 1980-1990. House paint on plywood. 21 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 3/8 inches. Signed, lower right. Original tab hanger. Provenance: The Johnson Center for the A...
Plywood, House Paint
Untitled Watermelon by Mose Tolliver AKA Moset
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Morton Grove, IL
Mose Tolliver AKA Mose T Untitled Watermelon wood, paint, soda tab approx: 14 5 x 19.5" date unknown signed
Wood, Acrylic
Sold
H 23 in W 33.25 in
Untitled Spotted Animal by Mose Tolliver AKA Mose T (INV# NP3174)
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Morton Grove, IL
Mose Tolliver AKA Mose T Untitled Spotted Animal wood, paint, soda tab approx: 23 x 33.25 date unknown signed
Wood, Acrylic
Sold
H 31.25 in W 20.25 in
Untitled Gray Lady by Mose Tolliver AKA Mose T (INV# NP3172)
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Morton Grove, IL
Mose Tolliver AKA Mose T Untitled Gray Lady wood, paint, string approx: 31.25 x 20.25" date unknown signed
Wood, Acrylic
Sold
H 24 in W 20.75 in
Untitled Nude by Mose Tolliver AKA Mose T (INV# NP3175)
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Morton Grove, IL
Mose Tolliver AKA Mose T Untitled Naked Woman found wood, paint, soda tab date unknown signed
Wood, Acrylic
Watermelon
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Plano, TX
Mose Tolliver's "Watermelon." House paint on wood. Board measures 11 3/4 x 23 15/16 x 1/4. Approximate date, early to mid-'90s. In the late 1960s, Mose Tolliver was forced to retire...
House Paint
Self-Portrait
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Plano, TX
Self Portrait. 1993. Latex house paint on plywood. 32 x 16 inches. Signed 'Moset' lower left. Exhibited: "Outside In an exhibit of exceptional Outsider Art." Friday, July 5, 201...
Paint
"Watermelon" Iconic, Folk Art, Colorful, Acrylic on Board
By Mose Tolliver
Located in Detroit, MI
"Watermelon" is an iconic painting by the Folk Artist Mose Tolliver. It is charming in its simplicity and vibrant, playful colors. Tolliver was born one of 12 children to sharecroppers, Ike and Laney Tolliver in the Pike Road community, near Montgomery, Alabama. His exact year of birth is unknown, though it is known he was born on the Fourth of July. He attended school only until the third grade due to a self-described lack of interest in education. In the early 1940s he married his childhood friend, Willie Mae Thomas, and had 13 children, 11 of whom survived to adulthood. During the late 1960s, after a severe injury (his legs were crushed when a load of marble shifted and fell from a forklift as he was sweeping in the furniture factory), he turned to painting to combat boredom, pain and long hours of idle time. He would often turn his paintings upside-down and paint the picture of perhaps an animal and landscape positioned from various directions. Tolliver's titles are wildly divergent; e.g., "Smoke Charlies", "Scopper Bugs" or "Jick Jack Suzy Satisfying her own Self". Tolliver signed his work, "Mose T with a backward “s”. He regularly worked with "pure house paint" on plywood creating whimsical and sometimes erotic pictures...
Board, Acrylic
(Green-faced lady in spotted dress)
By Mose Tolliver
Located in New York, NY
House paint on panel board. Green woman in spotted dress. Signed MoseT, dated on reverse 89.5
House Paint
Sold
H 32 in W 19.5 in D 0.5 in
(Man in red pants and blue hat - self portrait by Mose Tolliver )
By Mose Tolliver
Located in New York, NY
House paint on wood 32"x19.5" Self portrait of Mose Tolliver with crutches, wearing blue hat and red pants. Mose Tolliver (1920-2006) , American - Montgo...
House Paint