Bummer about your POM entry getting pulled. I expect no one noticed there was no WIP until it came time to organize the voting, I know I didn't, but then I can go a whole day without realizing I'm wearing odd socks Lol so observation is not my strong point
Maybe you could re-enter it this month? I think the scorpion/skull thingy pic is a great concept, you don't seem too pleased with how it turned out, but I don't think there is too much wrong with it. A little bit more subtlety in the shading, (maybe a bit dark in some places, though that could just be the lighting of the pic), and maybe refining the detail lines on the hand a little, so I hope you try it again in a few weeks, and see how much farther you've come. Ahhhh the POS pile LOL!!!!! I think everyone has one of them them, don't get disheartened though, although the final outcome might not be what you were hoping for, the practice, and the things you learned didn't work so well, is invaluable - that's what I keep telling myself any way!