Brushes

http://www.brusheezy.com/

I downloaded most of my Photoshop brushes from the site mention above. Had no problem using then and all of them worked. Great site for downloading textures, patterns and brushes.

Create your own filters

http://www.filterforge.com/

I came across the site called Filter Forge, which lets user create filters for Photoshop. I couldn’t really test it as its not free and not out in market up.
Seems like interesting software however it looks a lot like Yahoo Pipes with the connection diagram shown on homepage.

Deviantart

http://www.deviantart.com/

Deviantart helped me look for different ways to portray and image and the message behind it. Reading the feedback comments also helped me understand how a viewer leaves an impression and judges the work.