Disappointment...

Some of you may remember this piece:

I painted it for a contest on DeviantART. I was really hopeful to at least place in the contest. I doubted I'd win, but I thought I would at least get in the voting round.

The contest holder picked her top 24 today and has opened voting on those pieces.

I didn't even make it into the top 24. I guess I wouldn't feel so bad, but I felt like my piece was at least decent and not to sound vain, but the entries that my pic was left with looked more like they'd been painted by sixth graders. I mean, I seriously think they were sixth graders.

Sigh.

This is so disappointing.

So... I'm reevaluating my art. I think I'm too left brained. Technique and anatomy have been my focus for so long that I've starved my artistic intuition. I need to be more artsy, vibrant, and colorful.

Before I got all depressed about the contest, I painted this:

The proportions are not realistic, but I purposely did that. I wanted something a little more cartoony. I really liked it as I was painting it, but in hindsight, I see that she looks kind of like a meth addict. *Headdesk*

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

This is a desktop (feel free to use). The girl is anxiously awaiting her sweetheart so that she can give him a special present.

I know this is a little different from my usual style, but when I sketch, they naturally turn cartoony. I prefer a combination of cartoony and realistic, but this is okay for a desktop. And it was a lot of fun to paint. I did it all in one evening. Usually it takes me a few days and references! 

It was so fun! I'm contemplating doing another one... Mwah ha ha!