In the December issue of the magazine, we introduced a new element, "Creative Spark," to the Art Matters column (page 9), in which pastel artist Carole Katchen provides tips and techniques for finding inpsiration and recharging our creativity. In each installment, Katchen will also offer readers a Creative Spark challenge. In this first installment, the challenge was to choose a letter of the alphabet to inspire a painting composition, and we invited readers to email us with their letter-inspired creations.

We saw some terrific paintings, and today, I'm pleased to share with you our winning entry—Café Study (left; pastel, 8x10) by Marie Stanton Cardany of Stuart, Fla. Cardany's painting, created on Canson paper, used the letter "A" to inspire its composition. Cardany will receive a 39-piece set of pastels from Great American Artworks. Congratulations!