I've been playing piano for many years, since I was 9 (or was it 10? Bah, I'm so forgetful these days...). I refused to take lessons and taught myself to play music by ear. My piano playing has improved greatly over the years, but I still am not a master. My focus is now on creating music anyway, so I only play on the piano to brainstorm.
More recently, I've taken an interest in character design and spriting (making pixel art). I'm still an amateur artist, so I don't consider it a real skill, but it's worth mentioning.
That's marvelous! One of my biggest heroes was an actor who learned to play piano by ear. He always demanded a piano on the set of any movie he was doing, and got his start as a silent movie pianist. Quite a nerve-racking job, I imagine.
Anyway, I really hope you continue with that, Colonel. A tremendous talent to master!