Well, I really liked this! Keep going your own way, and don't worry about the votes - if you make a real connection with just a few of your viewers it is better than an average scoring bland photo that nobody really cares about either way.
(The 9 was from me, by the way.)
I know you were going for an artistic effect, it just doesn't appeal to me. Keep entering challenges, photography isn't about making everyone "happy" but doing what makes YOU happy! Best of luck!