Well, I haven't put my opinion down yet, and since I don't want to be left out, here it goes. Firstly, I grew up in small town in Washington state, that may or may not make me a hick. Secondly, I have very little training in any sort of art, but that doesn't stop me from having fun, whether it is drawing on my own, coloring in a paint by numbers type thing, playing with clay or wood, or crashing my computer six times a day using a graphics program. Thirdly, my whole reason for putting my computer art in here is that it is SAFE. Most people won't comment unless directly asked, so I can get used to the idea of other people seeing what I've done before I start asking for specific help. Finally, since I qualify as a newbie, I would like to say that the length of time you spend doing something does not necessarily mean you have all the answers. Sometimes someone without preconceptions can provide really good insight. I will continue to enter these contests even though my art (despite the hours spent on it) may not win because I need the practice, dammit. :) Lin