Your post made my heart hurt for you. I think a lot of us ex-addicts and alcoholics are like you, very sensative, secretly shy although we try very hard to cover it up, artistic, soulful, tend to be alone because we can't get close to people without that fear creeping in... My only advice to you is be patitent and don't rush a relationship. They always seem to come into our lives where we're not looking; at least that's my experience.
Congrats on your sober time keep going!