He is credited with reviving what has been described by The New York Times as the "lost art" of paper doll making during his career which stretched from the 1970s to his death in 2014.
He began his art education at an early age, studying life drawing, landscapes, and still-life painting.
Tierney began freelance fashion illustration while in high school for local department stores in his home town.
After serving in the Army, Tom moved to New York where he continued his career as a fashion illustrator and as a freelance artist.
In addition to fashion illustration for large department stores such as JCPenney's, Macy's, and Sear's, Tierney has also illustrated a number of film posters for the Shorlane Bennet Agency, painted a number of portrait commissions, and did some nightclub singing in the Upstairs at the Duplex in Greenwich Village amongst other things.