Aw crap, I can't answer most of these.
I haven't been around long enough to know all the new faces. :P Eh, maybe next year if I stay that long.
Still, I could say that the best OW artist is a tie between Stranger's Maid (for dedication & humour) and Alector (for skill and awesome pics), but then of course I would vote for them, wouldn't I? :P