Ayuh.

Actually, it isn't even about being quick on the draw - it's about being good when you draw.

And you've earned your status. Truthfully, you've earned a higher status than you have. But defintinely where it is, at the very least.

I had this one set aside to read later so I'm just getting around to it. Submission backlog and such...

I've seen trades between artists above my level, (but of nearly equal skill between the two), and I certainly wondered how they swung that, since it seemed that people at that level simply didn't do art trades. But you're right, they're probably amongst friends. Being of near equal skill probably helps too.

I look forward to one day getting into an art trade where I need to push my skill level to match the effort of the other artist. But that will probably entail drawing a buttload of porn (and draw it a lot better than I do today) before I rise into the rarefied air of recognition that makes such things possible. And then I'll probably find myself in the same boat as you describe with requests (I do get asked once in a blue moon if I do them, but I've already listed requests in my profile as a "very low priority").