Look at what you have learned! If you are this into it, you WILL have to get Photoshop or some other similar program eventually. You know that, don't you? And when you are ready to take the plunge, you will be way ahead of the game because of your knowledge of Ipiccy and the way you are figuring out your processes. I didn't know a thing when I started Photoshop. The only thing I knew was that it was damn fun! But I also had a mentor. Shanmara created artwork that I loved so much I thought, I just have to learn how to do this. She took me under her wing several times, and I will always be grateful to her. But her artwork was not like most of the people who were posting art at that time. And sometimes her work wasn't appreciated as much as I thought it should be. And that's one of the things I've learned about fanart, there are certain styles that people love, and some that don't get as much praise. But that often doesn't have much to do with the quality of the art. Also, I do hate to say this but sometimes voting isn't always completely objective either. So I try not to read too much into winning or not winning a contest. I had one piece that won first place in a contest, and it was really kind of a stupid picture and very gimmicky. I was actually a little embarrassed that it won first place. A few months later, I was nominated in a contest for one of the most beautiful pictures I've ever made. I thought it was perfect, artistically, creatively, emotionally, etc. There were five pieces in the contest. One got first place, and two got honorable mention. My piece was not even mentioned. So now I just work to please myself and to be proud of what I've made and to continue learning and pushing myself. I'm not saying I don't like acknowledgment, but even if I don't get any comments, I still know if I've done a good job or not.

One thing I used to talk about a lot with shanmara was how sitting down and working on Photoshop could just take all your stress and worries away, even if only temporarily. That is still the case. I'm glad you feel that sense of escape too.