Great advice from all of you! Thank you! :)=) Mark, that's exactly what I am afraid of- turning the hobby into a job! (No offense meant to anyone ...) I know I would like it better than my current "career" (ha ha!) My own business would be nice...hmmm... Logo, I'm one of those people that likes to do lots of different things and gets itchy to do something else as soon as I feel that I've "been there, done that". I seem to have stuck with the computer artwork since I got my first computer 7 years ago, and haven't tired of it yet. (I got a new machine last year with as many bells and whistles as I could afford- so I could run Poser and Photoshop at the same time! :)) I'm always amazed at the things you can do and feel, too, that you can never stop learning- there's so much out there! And one thing seems to lead to something else. I just can't decide where to focus first! Started with Photoshop, found Poser, then the 3D modeling programs, and it goes on... My bookcase is running out of room! :) Seven, I agree about the talent. I've seen some amazing artists on these sites and go "WOW". I've taken art lessons in one form or another since I was a kid. I'm not bad, but I know that I need improvement in quite a few areas. Once out of high school, and having all those adult responsibilities (boo-hiss!), the classroom opportunities certainly lessen. I have learned quite a bit from the artists on these sites. That's why I'm debating going the big route toward a degree, or taking individual courses somewhere. My work schedule doesn't leave much time- that's my biggest issue- therefore I was looking for decent online programs. The one online college that I received info from has the graphic design degrees, and also the game art and design degree. I'd like to learn both, but don't happen to have over $100K just laying around! The one thing I'd hope to learn at a school would be the more technical stuff that sometimes books and online tutorials may leave out. Sometimes I want to know "why?" as well as "how". OK, I'm writing a novel here...I do appreciate you all replying! - Amy