William Tolliver spent 38 of his 48 years perfecting his skills incorporating abstract, realism and cubism as stylistic interests. The Vicksburg, MS native handled figure studies, portraits, human interest situations, landscapes and semi-abstracts, all with equal perfection and all from a photographic memory.
He never received any formal training, however, Tolliver attests to reading more than 4,000 book on different subjects, but mostly on art – his thirst for the subject was unquenchable. He education himself by studying the classics: Chagall, Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso.
At 14, Tolliver knew technical art terms; his art was totally original and he no longer liked the realism style. All of this art reflects his originality and speaks for itself. The people in his paintings display pride, strength and soul. Whether they are cotton pickers, or radiant beauties, the consistency of a proud and beautiful people is there.
Topping his long list of achievements, Tolliver has had one of this masterpiece works travel the U.S with the Smithsonian Museum. He was also commissioned by the Olympic Games Committee to create a piece (depicting the "Spirit of Georgia") for the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta, GA.
Art demands a presence, whether it's good or bad – that was the objective of this artist. When looking at Tolliver's art, one is sure to respond – to the artist's creative and vivid use of colors, his composition, lines or subject. In all of those areas, he demonstrated the God-given talent that he discovered early in life.
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