William R. Stanek. The Black and White Collection #1: Fine Art Photography Rare Masters

Celebrated author and artist William Stanek takes his art to a new level in The Black & White Collection #1, the first volume in an inspiring, comprehensive photographic collection of the very best of his fine art photography from his 30+-year career.

William R. Stanek and his wife have been called "living legends" and "national treasures" for their decades of creative works in the arts and publishing. In the arts, he is celebrated for his unique perspectives, natural colors and stunning use of natural light. In the literary world, he is renowned for his body of work which includes nearly 100 children's picture books painted with stunningly beautiful watercolors.

It's been a long road to celebrated author and artist for William. At an early age, he lost a step-father to a gas water heater explosion, his sister Bridget to the same some months later. Thereafter, raised by a single mother, he and his siblings lived very much in poverty and often went hungry. From the age of 10, he worked odd jobs to help keep the family fed.

At 17, in his senior year of high school, his mother re-married and moved away. William found himself homeless and living in his car, but still managed to finish high school. After graduation, he joined the US Air Force. Military service brought William to fields of combat and special operations duties in foreign lands around the world. His distinguished military service earned him many medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. But William says he would give all the medals away to be able to close his eyes and not see any of it.

William's work has always been an outlet, if not for his own healing, but to help heal others. Through his stories. Through his paintings. Through his photography. For the past thirty years, his wife has been there with him, assisting, which is why William says this is as much her book as it is his.