Sounds like you are well on your way Nancy. Just keep at it.
I grew up on Photoshop and Freehand. My father was a graphic artist and always had a computer with those programs at home I used to dabble on when I was a teen. So, I have always had a copy of Photoshop available since then. We are stuck at only CS at work though and I hadn't learned many of the new features of newer versions but since getting CS3 at home... I have been working more at learning the new stuff. I still tend to do many things the old traditional way when there are new tricks to be used in CS3 ;-)
I have been experimenting with painting though in
PS for a year or two. I created this one over about a 6 month period at work in spare time.
one of my first PS paintings. Looking back at it now... I see where I could have improved the look a little but... hey... it was my first attempt.