Posts by Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
Art
February 7, 2017

15+ Artists Whose Sketchbooks Double as Handheld Art Galleries

The sketchbook has a special place in an artist's practice. It’s a visual playground, in which creatives can experiment with new ideas and imagery—without the pressure that comes from creating a finished piece. Rather, these books are an extension of one's wildest imagination. The ideas contained within might not make sense (or ever see the light of day), but that's beside the point.

Read Article

Art
January 28, 2017

Artist Uses Engineering to Fold Mesmerizing Geometric Paper Sculptures

Paper engineering artist Matt Shlian produces incredible forms from the ubiquitous, everyday material. Making strategic and precise folds, he creates stunning geometric designs built with tessellations. The three-dimensional pieces are often crafted in bone-white or black-colored paper, which highlights the beauty of each shape through subtle shifts in tone. Large or small, each of these monochromatic sculptures has a mesmerizing repeat element to it. Shlian’s interest in the medium and his engineering skills have yielded unlikely collaborations.

Read Article

Funny
January 25, 2017

Couple’s Quirky T. Rex Engagement Photos Prove True Love Isn’t Extinct

Dinosaurs are extinct, but oddly enough, the love between them lives on. It's all thanks to photographers (and couple) Greg Basel and Maria Adams, who recently snapped romantic portraits of two T. rexes madly in love. Well, as much as they can be—those tiny arms and ferocious set of chompers don't make things easy. But however it may look, this T. rex engagement shoot is one for the history books.

Read Article

Architecture
January 20, 2017

19 Most Creative Water Fountains From Around the World

Water fountains have a long place in our history. Dating back to the Ancient Roman times, these reservoirs were first designed with a purely practical purpose—for holding precious drinking water and bathing. These early fountains were uncovered, free standing, and placed along the street for public consumption. (Wealthier folks also had them in their homes.)

Read Article

My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.