Generally, I would advise making your code a bit more modular (i.e. more smaller classes rather than a few gigantic ones). Though that in itself wouldn't solve the memory issue, it'd just make it easier for me to decipher
K, I got it working now. You say it's using a fuckton of memory when resizing the window? Does it do the same in smaller programs that use swing components?
If you could make up your mind soon about whether you want your area in Take 8 or not that would be really swell as I need to get the OP properly organised