In the February issue Creative Spark column, Carole Katchen prompts you to generate visual energy by developing an entire painting with a certain type of stroke. For example, in A Puppy’s Work Is Never Done (pictured here), Katchen chose scribbled pastel strokes to mimic the wild hair of the terrier.

Send us an example of your stroke-inspired pastel painting. E-mail us a JPG image (at 72 dpi and an image size of about 4x5) by Friday, Feb. 1 and you'll be eligible to win eight sheets of 18x24 Belgian Mist Kitty Wallis paper and eight sheets of 18x24 Kitty Wallis Museum Paper. (Be sure to include "creative spark" in the subject line.) Our editorial team will select one winner (but runners-up may appear on our blog). Include your name, e-mail and mailing address in the message, along with a brief explanation of your design. (Unfortunately, you must be a U.S. resident to participate.)

Get creative this weekend!