GrafX2, a free, multi-platform bitmap image editor designed from the ground up for pixel artists, is having a birthday! This month marks its 13th year. To celebrate, and to build awareness for the project, the developers are asking the pixel community to create and submit art made with GrafX2.

The following pixel artists produced Pixel Joint's top rated pixel art for November 2009. Many thanks go out to this month's top pixel artists and all the members who took time to rate.

How to make her turn by Syosa

Oh happy day! by Elk

Yonisaurus by Fool

Hollay's Keelah Character by SHANN0N

Stachio by ThereIsNoCure

Zombie girl by vierbit

Dine In by big brother

[nudity] never trust a sailor by Petrichor

The Wall by ElectroNico

Mr.Beerbird by 4tochkin

Don't go frantically grabbing for your calendar—it's not April 1st. Yes, after a long two-year wait, collabs will be allowed into the PixelJoint gallery again. 

Why the sudden reversal after so long? Read on...

 In Fool's own words:

This is probably the less appropriate place for this, but i feel it is just too much for me to handle. My baby daughter haven't come back from sleep, don't know what happened yet - possible cause fatal drug combination, zoloft and some painkiller she took before go to bed. She just turn 18 a few days ago and was so happy she can buy cigarettes on her own. Now I still see her online in skype, write unspoken words and afraid to hit enter because that bad dream will become a reality - she will not reply anymore... I thought I've seen crap in life, but picking a coffin for my child top everything off. I know, I'm not first and unfortunately not the last father loosing his child, you don't know her but if you, good people, can find in your heart to say simple "Good bye Jessica" this monday at 1 pm est please do so. I don't expect everyone to post here, I do realize there is no word capable to fix this... And I dont feel up to continue with the whole art thing any longer. At least for now, when sense of being peels off from everything. Thanks everyone. This account will be abandoned for some time, I would take my time to readjust my life with half of soul left .

Our thoughts are with Fool and his family. Let's all say goodbye to Jessica at 1 PM EST today. (February 15, 2010)

For this forum highlight we'd like to showcase the dedication and commitment displayed by xxmantisxx while working on his Human Head piece.