He became an active member of the Harlem Renaissance, a collaborative effort to promote and exhibit the work of black artists.

According to artist, Samella Lewis, "Wilson always produced fully accomplished and sophisticated design patterns...Making bold use of color, his paintings reflect a coherent and personal style that combines aspects of Expressionism with contemporary Realism.

As a resident at the Cornish Arms Home for Adults, he died in French Hospital on Sunday, January 2, 1977 at the age of 77, after a two-week-long illness,[6] and was buried in a pauper's grave.

[5] Ellis Wilson's painting "Funeral Procession" was featured in the American television NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, in Season 2, "The Auction".

In this episode, Clair Huxtable, played by Phylicia Rashad, bids on the painting by her great-uncle (Ellis Wilson) and she wins the auction.