Oh wow, thanks, that is such a flattering thing to hear - I hope I can keep it up this year, and I definitely loved your posts too, I think you probably did the most impressive progress last year, so I'm definitely looking forward to your icons this year too :>

Ofc I don't mind! (obviously this would have been a top 10 too, top 11 is not a thing D:, but there was a tie)

I looove the colors of your winning icon but at the same time I'm a little surprised that one of your grungy/textured masterpieces didn't win cause that's the style I think you really perfected last year! Then again i've noticed that often in votings color is what first catches the eye (and only after that composition, texture work, cropping etc), especially if there are lots of icons to pick from, so I guess that might be the reason. Gorgeous icon anyway :>