Re: Work
Always the safe thing to do 
And, look at it this way. When you do your own work like this, you get to set the deadline and be the art director. That kind of freedom can really be nice.
Work
I pretty much do that now so it isn’t to bad. How many of you work for yourself? Any tips? Other thasn don’t steal peoples work 
I have worked for myself for the last 2 and a half years. The biggest tip is to plan ahead with money. Sometimes you need to carry profits from big projects over smaller ones. Get good and accurate at scheduling your time. Get contracts made up and signed before you start your work. This is easiest if you make this a rule from the beginning and make no exceptions. Let clients know ahead of time where additional costs will incur and get them to sign off in stages as you go. Have fun. Don’t stress too much. Keep up on your taxes 
Don’t move to the Phoenix area these days. Stay away from video games (edit: Especially ones with the initials MMOG anywhere on the box).
Work
My wife works so the money isn’t the issue. I just have a passion for renderings, starting by hand and moving to computers about 15 years ago. If I can’t get work I can’t do renderings.
Re: Work
Boy you sure arn’t trying to win any points around here huh 
work
:roll:
Thou shalt not steal… thought you were meant to abide by that.
Anyway as the others said.. whats done is done. You have realised your error in judgement. A fairly significant one if you ask me.. but anyway. Youve sorted it.
That said, ideally you want as much content to your site as possible (obviously). So get cracking on personal work, and try to get permission to use your images from those other firms.
Good luck dude, hope it all goes well for you
Work
Again, thanks for the support. I have learned my lesson and suggest everyone else to learn from my ignorance. It is pretty humiliating!
I think for a webpage it isn’t always a good thing to show too much work. Just show your best few projects rather than overload them with imagery IMHO
I think regarding using work done at previous employers that unless it is agreed in your contract or if there is a NDA that you should be alright to use it. It would really annoy me though if I worked on a group project with someone who had a small role in the job but who took credit for the work on their webpage, so maybe just stick to jobs that you completed 100% by yourself
Charleyc’s story is a bit of a worry though… Maybe it depends where you live in the world on if you will be sue’d for this kind of thing.
Regarding claiming other peoples work as your own… I think admitting you did the wrong thing is really the best way of ensuring you don’t do it again (As i bet someone else has already said)