Does anyone out there have a recommendation for an 'easy to use' version of Photoshop or any other program software that is used for illustration?  I'm looking into getting an upgrade for future art projects but if I go for an expensive one I don't want to end up staring at it like..., duhh, and not be able to use it.  So if anyone has any good recommendations on this subject I would really appreciate it.

Currently, I used Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0, just so you know.