Steve is oil painting!

My mom has painted ever since I was a little kid. I've been thinking about painting for years, and I recently saw my brother-in-law start painting, so I finally took action! I got a set of paints and a book and well, just started painting. After a few test cases (which won't be show here! LOL!) I've started to produce items like these. This is my view of Monument Valley in Arizona, and my first portrait in a medium other than photography - our dog Wiley. I understand going in that this is an ability that takes years to cultivate, but I'm up for the challenge! For those in the know, both of these artworks were completed using a pallette knife - no brushes.