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!
Other favorite submissions include
Kimono by Mary Ann Pals, of Chesterton, Ind., in which the letter "S" leads the viewer's eye through the folds of silk and through the painting. In
Two Pots, by Lynn Chapman, of Pueblo, Colo, the letters "C" and "O" take shape.
Thanks to everyone who participated in our challenge. And don't forget to look for the next Creative Spark in the Jan/Feb issue of the magazine—coming soon (on sale on newsstands January 1). The winner of that challenge will receive $150 worth of Kitty Wallis paper!