Steps to Follow

1: Open up the artistic file that you want to use as your buddy icon (.jpg, .art, etc...). Three windows will pop-up.

2: Select the window that has the preview of the picture in it. Press CTRL+W and then double-click on the picture.
Click on the "Art" tab and copy the ID #. Then, close that box (make sure to leave the preview window open).

3: On your Buddy List, click "Setup", then "Preferences". Click the "IMs" tab and press CTRL+W again.
Double-click on one of the Buddy Icons provided by AOL. Select the "Art" tab, then paste the ID # from above into where the current one is at.
(Note: Select "OK" when it asks if you want to make this a permanent change.)

4: Close the top window (Edit window) that came up when you pressed CTRL+W.
On the REAL window, select the Buddy Icon that you just entered and then press "Save".

5: IM yourself to make sure it worked. If it didn't, then you messed it up. Try again or ask me for some help!