Posts by Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
Photo Contest
February 26, 2026

Photo of a Rare White Humpback Whale and Mother Wins World Nature Photography Awards

The World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) believes in the little things. Founded on the idea that small, positive actions can make a big difference, the organization sees photography as a powerful way to influence the actions we take and perspectives we have when it comes to the conservation of the planet. Its photo contest highlights the best in nature photography, and WNPA just announced its 2026 winners.

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Academy
February 24, 2026

5 Drawing Fundamentals That Will Help You Be a Stellar Sketcher

Drawing is the foundation of art. When you can learn to draw, it becomes a well of creative possibilities. But becoming a stellar sketcher takes practice. Even if you don’t view yourself as a great drawer, the truth is that, like most things in life, you just need to put in the time to improve. It begins by mastering the fundamentals.

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Painting
February 23, 2026

Artist Uses Pops of Color To Highlight Portraits of Black Kids and Teens [Interview]

Artist Guy Stanley Philoche creates work blending realistic portraiture with abstraction. The juxtaposition is visually striking, showcasing his rendering abilities alongside an emotional core. This is best exemplified in his series titled Higher Learning, which features Black children rendered in a monochromatic palette, standing against bright, solid-color backgrounds with some stenciled elements. “My work is figurative,” Philoche explains to My Modern Met.

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Academy
February 17, 2026

How To Turn Fresh Flowers Into Timeless Works of Botanical Art

If you ask someone why they don’t buy fresh flowers, a common answer is that they’ll wilt. Eventually, the once-beautiful blooms will end up in the compost or trash, a sad end for something so pretty. But that doesn’t have to happen. No, you can’t keep flowers alive forever, but you can preserve their colors and delicate petal shapes through flower pressing.

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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.