The Ultimate Alphabet: The Letter W

The art of Mike Wilks (British, b. 1947) is characterized by intensely realistic (sometimes surrealistic) detail—think art appreciation and a game of discovery, all in one. Wilks began his artistic career at 13 when he won a scholarship to art school. He ran a successful graphic design business for five years before he sold it and began writing and illustrating books in 1975. He rocketed to fame following publication of The Ultimate Alphabet in 1986; the puzzle book was a global bestseller. Each image contains dozens, if not hundreds, of items, all beginning with the same letter of the alphabet. After eight illustrated books, he established himself as a novelist with The Mirrorscape Trilogy, a fantasy adventure series. Wilks, who was the subject of an award-winning British documentary, lives in London. His drawings and paintings now reside in museums, galleries, and private collections around the world.