Working to find 'The Edge'

Many of you know, especially if you are an artist, that being competitive in today's market is not just competing against the local guys (or gals), but rather within the world market. It's just as easy to hire out an artist, illustrator, graphic designer in Texas (my new home as of a month ago) than it is to hire one from somewhere in Canada, China, Russia, etc. All the artist and employer need is a means to communicate via the web and it's a done deal. So what does it take to hang tough and get off the porch? (Yeah, I like mixed metaphors, deal.)

Well, for me so far, it's just a matter of finally admitting to myself that I'm just not as good as I would like to be. I've managed to get a lot of small press jobs. I've done many interiors and several book covers now, but every time I turn around there's ten more, younger, edgier artists out there licking up the jobs that I want. So what do I do? Take a hard look in the mirror. Take a hard look at my work. And take a hard look at the artwork of the artist who are getting hired more frequently for the big boys. What did I find? Well, to be honest, I couldn't help but recall words from long ago ringing in my ears. Words from instructors and artistic friends who had tried to help me onto a path of being a better artist well over a decade ago, but quite frankly I was too lazy and arrogant to listen.
That stings more than a bit. But you know what? It's the kind of sting like the soreness the day after a hard workout. It's the kind of sting that says, yeah, better late than never, and ok, this is possible. So here I am continuing this hard look at all these things and realizing it's just a matter of putting in the time, doing the work, and being bold. Here are some steps I've taken recently. The move to Texas slowed me down a bit, but at the moment I'm working on some pieces to further my progress and I'm moving away from the comic book looking stuff (not that I'm turning down work like that though!) into more of a painterly style, which I utterly love, btw. As always, critiques and comments are welcome. Thanks!