Spring in The Village, Beadwork by Nese Zial

I love humor. Along with that comes a deep appreciation for whimsical art and a love for riotous color.

Owl on a Cherry Branch by Nese Ziyal

My work has been critiqued by those who I respect in the upper worlds of art as being too whimsical. I must be more serious.

While I might respect that opinion, I am not so sure I agree with that. Since the last time I was told this, I have spent a lot of time looking at other artists. There are a lot of "Serious" pieces out there. They are beautiful. Perhaps I should go in that direction.

But I found the that  artwork that is bright and colorful are the pieces I really gravitate to. It is the pieces that have a sense of play and fun that I admire.

Art should make both the creator and the viewer feel something. Some choose art to be a platform for politics, others for technical ability.

My choice has always been beauty and something to make my spirit smile.

Bird on a Cherry Branch by Nese Ziyal

I think that Nese Ziyal from Istanbul, Turkey must think along the same lines as me. When I found her Etsy Shop: Spring in the Village all I could do was smile. Nese's pieces are bright and cheerful. They are just plain FUN.

Nese started out in crafts like many beaders, with cross stitch before gravitating to beadwork. She has a love for birds and began making patterns for making beaded birds. Nese starts by drawing birds on felt, cutting out the pattern then stitches the beads onto the felt. She turns her beaded birds into delightful broaches.

In addition to birds, Nese also stitches butterflies, flower baskets and angels. All are delightful.

Flower Basket by Nese Ziyal

Nese sells her creations in IKSV Design Shop in Istanbul. She is excited by this opportunity.

Seeing art like Nese's gives me hope that I do not need to become too serious in my own beadwork style. Perhaps art can be colorful, bright and happy. Perhaps I do not have to join the serious, somber art club after all!