Yes!

maybe, but it's much more satisfying if you can paint what you want to paint.
One tip:
If you want a nice smooth curve, or good control over any line, don't use a tiny brush. A lot of people think they'll have more control the smaller brush they use, but it's not true. Use a somewhat larger one, and paint with confidence and not too slowly. That should help with line control.

Yes , no matter how perfect or imperfect it may be to the artist , it is still art ...

The problem is that the artist is far too close to the work to make an honest judgment...trust me , I'm married to one!

Accept the praise of others & be encouraged !

By all means, yes.

You have to understand that not all art is as the artist intended. I have that trouble with painting, too though. I am too close to the finished product to appreciate its beauty, but others like what is done.

Meanwhile, I have found that although I'm not pleased with the results, something about moving the paint with the brush manages to relax me despite my lack of skill. This is a rare and wonderful thing, and a good enough reason to continue working at it until my painting improves.

My aunt is in her 70's and just started oil painting classes a few years ago. She doesn't think much of her painting either, but I'd hang her pictures in my house any day.

Yes, it is still an expression of yours, Art can be a drip rolling down a paint can, if it moves someone.
Seriously, Andy Warhol presented the Campbell Soup can as art because it moved people to see this giant can; to some it represented the corrupt Big Brother in media and advertising; to some the warmth of hearth and home, and some just thought it was cool to see this huge can of soup.

Art is subjective and if people like what you do, enjoy that, while you continue to close the gap between your vision and the outcome of your efforts.

I'd say it's art.

Yes, the "art" is that people like it, the "art" has taken the lead with your brush! If people like it, If you like it, then keep painting! I think that some of the most beautiful paintings are just masses of color, like Monet! Monet's lines are not distinct, he uses dabs of color all over. His impressionistic style is beautiful to me with the use of muted colors, no real lines.

Art is a thing of beauty, an it is said beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so what may not be beautiful to you, may just be amazing to another,so it may not be art to you, but to another its art.
Also it depends on if their compliments are genuine or just flattery.
If you want real opinions put in on display and hang around to hear public opinion, without letting on that you are the painter.
Who knows we might just have another Micheal Angelo in hiding.

I'd say yes.
People throw paint through a jet engine and call it art.
People plop their bare butt in paint and sit it down on canvas and call it art.
At least your trying.
So yes it's art.
Save the presindents life cut off your ear and your paintings will be worth millions.