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.
Inspiring
June 16, 2021

Watch Actor Ethan Hawke’s Inspiring TED Talk on Giving Yourself “Permission To Be Creative”

Creativity can feel like a luxury or even feel frivolous. Drawing? Painting? Writing? Those are nice, but not when you need to work to make ends meet. But as you might already sense, creativity is vital to humanity. It allows us to express ourselves and therefore connect with others in a meaningful way. You can do it, too; what you create doesn’t have to be perfect.

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Sculpture
June 7, 2021

Artist’s Awe-Inspiring Architectural Carvings Unearth Ornate Interiors From Stone

For the past two decades, artist Matthew Simmonds has carved a niche for his creative career. Carrying on the long tradition of marble carving, Simmonds seemingly unearths miniature architectural models in small, porous stones. The effect, while being awe-inspiring in its attention to detail, makes it look as though each scene is in the midst of being rediscovered, and that Simmonds is uncovering ancient ruins that had long been forgotten.

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Books
May 28, 2021

10 How-To Embroidery Books Filled With Creative Stitching Projects

Embroidery is a craft that is easy to begin but can be a challenge to master. And while there is a learning curve, the way to get better is through practice; having a set of projects to stitch is key in making that happen. You might buy and download embroidery patterns to work on, but did you know there's another way to get instruction as well as designs to stitch?

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Tiny Living
May 22, 2021

Airstream and Mercedes-Benz Created a Camper Van That’s a Luxury Hotel on Wheels

Airstream is synonymous with traveling the open road while Mercedes-Benz is known for its luxury vehicles. Together, the two companies have collaborated on a new sprinter van that is like a five-star hotel on wheels. The vehicle, called the 2021 Atlas Touring Coach, uses the chassis of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van as the basis for a high-end version of Airstream’s “silver bullet” trailer. It has everything you need to be comfortable on the road.

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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.