You might be able to find some ideas here: http://community.stencyl.com/index.php/board,17.0.html
I personally use Paint NET for all of the simple graphics and hire help from DeviantArt for anything more major.
Nice game. I don't like the top down, but running it tends to be brief so is not too bad. I would say don't show me the stuff that's equiped in my inventory. Is confusing. And a bit more color variation in the buffs, having everything pink makes it all look the same-ish.
You might be able to find some ideas here: http://community.stencyl.com/index.php/board,17.0.html I personally use Paint NET for all of the simple graphics and hire help from DeviantArt for anything more major.