oh hey, look... my first journal entry....
just thought you people would like to know about a cool contest... http://features.cgsociety.org/story.php?story_id=4822
or this one
http://events.cgsociety.org/NVArt/04/inspiration.php
admittedly, it is for rather advanced artists... and by advanced, i mean professional. but just look at those prizes! er... it'll be good for you.
but it still sounds like a fun thing to do!
and if you don't want to do it, go browse the website, because it is just scrumptious.
toodles.