Looking good, BAM. It's a shame about the categories, I really wish they had come out with that info earlier. It's definitely not fair to all the people who've spent time working on pieces that they can't use. But, there are other shows. As I mentioned to you before, MFCA is close by you. The Long Island Model show isn't too far. When I lived in Baltimore, a couple friends and I went there as a day trip. It's a long day, but the cost isn't that bad when it's just tolls and gas and no hotel. There's also NOVA Open in DC and NCMSS also in DC. Also keep an eye out for Jerseyfest. Their focus is usually larger scale garage kits, but you can enter small scale stuff there too.
I like your monster entry. To try and help, I'm going to be a bit picky. This is my favorite part for the skin work. The shading going up the thigh is really nice. And of course the cut on the knee is great weathering.
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I'm not sure if you're planning to do more work on the skin, but the face looks a bit flat by comparison. You've outline the main shapes, but there are big areas on the top of the head that look pretty flat (ie the same shade). You may still be working on them of course. But, either way, I'd shoot for shading like you've got on the leg here.
Also, while it's not painted on, the reflection from the lamp on the end of his quad actually looks really nice. I think it'd be really neat to actually paint that on. You'd need to blend it in (not just put a white dot there), but adding really concentrated highlights on tiny areas like this could create a really neat final result. I'd do it there, on the knee, and to a smaller amount on the other side of his quad. Then you'd do the same for the other leg, his arms, and face. The trick is keeping the positioning consistent. It's got to look like the same reflection (from a light in the same location) whether you're on the leg, arm, or face. You can take a look at my version of Redghar (the pirate orc) and the Celt to get an idea of what I'm talking about. It's up to you whether or not it's something you like or want to try. If you do, I'd suggest doing it on just part of the figure first and seeing how it goes. That way if you don't like it you just have to cover up a little bit instead of areas all over the figure.