If you don´t have the opportunity to take courses, the best way to get noticed is to spread your work through online galleries where potential clients may look for artists. CG Society for example is a good place to start. 

I´ve never looked for CG work. People usually spot some image somewhere that they like and contact me. I´ve also been a little lucky a few times when i´ve sent some stuff for a magazine gallery, and got a job offer in return.

Having no degrees is not a problem if you freelance, but if you´re looking for something full time, it can sometimes be an obstacle. Beeing self taught, i´ve had to turn down job offers from a few of the nicer studios in the states because of green card issues. 
There are some tideous workarounds to that though , if you think a job is worth it.

Rudolf Herczog
Digital Artist
www.rochr.com