Photo Explosion Deluxe was the main program used - It has a "cloning" feature where you pin point on a picture where you want to start from and on a Blank screen, you paint sections of the picture that you want - it was a great tool to have for this contest. I also used photoshop - I used the "Liquify" feature in that to make the PHOTOS look cartoonish. ...YES, EVERYTHING IN THIS PICTURE IS A PHOTOGRAPH THAT I CLONED, LIQUIFIED AND AIRBRUSHED TO MAKE THIS IMAGE.... My Wife and I took multiple pictures of ourselves and then I pieced it all together. HOW LONG??? About 48 hours of actual work - I do a lot of daydreaming, homework and taking pictures before I actually start doing the art. INSPIRATION??? - That would have to be PICASSO... Ya see, I have this small book on my desk loaded with Picasso art and if you look at the zombie faces, you'll notice I did the eyes, nose especially in honor of the late great artist. OTHER INSPIRATION???? Oh, I'd have to say it's Wacom Intuos4 Medium Tablet as the 1st place prize, I don't have one and every year I enter into the Halloween contest hoping to win one - lol Thanks for spending time checking out my entree and if you liked it, please remember to come back and vote.