Asalam alaikum,
My local Imam told me drawing was OK because "we are not worshipping what we have drawn", and I happen to be a rather good artist...
As-salaamu `alaykum,
With all respect, I believe your Imam has erred. `Aa'ishah, the mother of believers, didn't even draw let alone worship the curtains which had images upon them. Yet the Prophet, sall-Allaahu `alayhi wasallam ordered them to be torn down. Let's not forget the threatening hadeeth, that the pictures makers will receive the worst of punishments in the hereafter,
On the authority of `A`ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) it is reported that the Messenger of Allah said:
"The most severely punished of people on the Day of Resurrection will be those who try to make the like of Allah's creation." (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
Instead of relying on our opinions, and that of our local Imams, we should put these serious, important questions to scholars, the inheritors of the Prophets. Never have I found one of them, whether from the past or present permit the drawing of such images, except in very isolated cases, such as for example, medical usage. Brother ChechenMaga recently posted Shaykh `Ubaylaan's position regarding images, he gives a brief outline on what the scholars have said regarding their usage and permissibility/impermissibility.
Allaah knows best about this affair, I ask you to read the following chapter from Shaykh ul-Islaam Muhammad Ibn `Abdul-Wahhaab at-Tamimi's 'Kitaab at-Tawheed'. Notice how it is based upon nothing but the Qur'aan and Sunnah,
http://islamicweb.com/beliefs/creed/abdulwahab/KT1-chap-58.htm
Please note, there are some additional notes which appear to be from either the translator or an explainer.