Never give up hope. You\'ve done a fabulous job. All comments above are absolutely correct. I\'ve seen a lot of comments about your improvement in your time here, as I\'ve read through the forums, and some of the people that have commented on said improvement are some of the best painters out there.
Listen to them.
They know whereof they speak.
You\'ve done a great job, and if the judges don\'t see that, then they need new glasses or something.
Look at all this praise for the piece, just in this thread, and look me in the eye, and tell me you aren\'t a winner.
If not in the contest (then they\'re idiots), then here.
The piece rocks.
The base rocks.
Keep your chin up.