I like it. It has a kind of gritty quality that makes me think of London, for some reason. I think it would be very cool in your son's place. It's masculine and a bit brooding, and certainly doesn't look amateurish to me.

I think you're being too hard on yourself! I like it, too. It kind of reminds me of sandcastles.

Not at all, it has attitude and confidence. Hang it up girl.

I like it. I think you got that chunky-paint, mid-century impressionist feel just right.

I like it and don't think you need to change a thing. Hang it with pride!

I don't think so at all. I actually like amateur art. I often buy it from Ebay. I think your son will especially love knowing that you painted it yourself. He'll think of you every time he looks at it!

Honestly..... it's much better than some of the "professional" paintings I've seen for sale. I also like it, though would be interested to see a larger view. What does your DS think?

Well you have all made me feel much better, I was so frustrated! I need to get some training one of these days, maybe once the kids are out I'll have some me time. I only do maybe one painting a year if that and then I usually try a different style so I have not landed on "my" style yet. When I do paint it's like torture with a few less torturous moments. I did take 3/4 of a painting class at the local high school once but the instructor always stood directly behind me watching me the whole time and it drove me NUTS. Hopefully not all instructors are like that.
My son likes it but he says he likes everything I've picked so far so I don't know about his real opinion. My husband says...it's alright. Hmm

I truly like your painting - your son will probably display it with pride and point out to friends that his mother painted it.

I love the chandelier and please use the shades that are on it.

I love the painting. You are so talented!

I like it a lot. Also like the new furniture pieces you've picked up.

I like it, and it's not the style of painting I normally like. I see an urban setting in the painting - I think you've got the color balance perfect for that painting. Sign it and hang with pride, it's great!

Also, re training - learn the techniques, but always paint from your own heart/vision, not an instructor's vision. Your inner eye will always lead you in the direction you should go. Have confidence in your own skill - if you like it, it's worthy of display. Realize, too, that we're always our own harshest critics, so if it looks 'okay' to you, that's a sign it will look fabulous to the right audience. You've got talent, and the paint lets you express it! :-)

love the painting, definitely sign your name and frame it in a chunky black frame and hang it.

since the chairs have black upholstery and the legs of the stool are black or dark gray and there is black in the painting AND, this is for your son here is my suggestion
---> buy some black fabric shades for the chandelier... I think that could look really swanky - similar to this:

{{!gwi}}

I really like your painting. You should hang it proudly!

Hahaha someone mentioned it reminds them of sand castles...me too, nuked sandcastles lol. I think my sole is a realist and even though impressionist's paintings are my favorite what talent I may have seems too fall in the realist category. I see so much wrong with this painting that it is beyond me to fix. I am between mind sets on this sort of art which can be unsettling creatively. The kind words and advice from you all are greatly welcomed and appreciated. I think I will just leave it as is and be as happy as I can be with it. If son likes it that's a good thing too.

Brutally honest: definitely not too amateurish to hang.

Are there elements you may not like? Sure, no problem. Getting better is about being clear with yourself as to what really really worked out as you wished and what didn't. There is always something cringe worthy, but also something wondrous.

An artist recently said to DH that one of the things about growing as an artist is that your critical eye develops faster than your technical skill. I like that.

So hang this painting and return to it now and then. It has things to tell you.

And BTW, yes, I like it.

P.S, Becky thank you for the light suggestion. I do really like it but I have a lot of cheese in the room which would look even more velvetta with a nice new modern light doing a saga. hehe

jterrilynn, if you're serious about learning to paint you can learn on Utube. Just google online painting lessons and you'll get step by step classes. You can watch them for hours free and pick up lots of pointers. There is also a site called WetCanvas.com which you can go to and look at all levels of art and people who critique them. It's a wonderful world wide group and there are literally hundreds of lessons on there from painting to sculpture and carving etc. and it's all free.