So lot's of us are kids of the Amiga ? , that explains a lot about the mood here !
I too started with deluxepaint, then I did my first 'sphere on checkerboard" with Imagine.
One day I manage to get a copy of lightwave 4 or 5 (mmm not a very legal version :S), and there was this scene in the content directory :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMQfvEeJZVQ

... and I knew at that moment what would be my job :O)