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.
Creative Products
February 11, 2019

15+ Motivational Gifts for Anyone That Needs a Creative Pick-Me-Up

Experiencing a lack of motivation every now and then is natural—it happens to everyone. At some point, we all feel blah, like when we'd prefer to binge-watch TV rather than focus on the important task at hand. Motivational items can help get you back on track by reminding you that you can totally conquer your to-do list or face a daunting project head-on. Oftentimes, a mantra is a good source of motivation.

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Painting
February 4, 2019

Top 8 Oil Painting Techniques All Beginners and Professionals Should Know

Oil paint has a long tradition in art history. Many of the world’s greatest creatives have used this material to produce their masterpieces, and its legacy lives on as one of the most popular media today. If you’ve ever thought about painting or are a professional looking to switch up your practice, chances are that oils have crossed your mind. Acrylic and oil are two of the most well-known types of paints used by contemporary artists.

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Science
January 29, 2019

Woman with Synesthesia Tells People What Their Names Taste Like

Some people have an uncommon condition called synesthesia, which essentially means that one of their senses is understood by another sense (or senses). One of our favorite examples of a synesthetic person is Melissa McCracken, an artist who hears colors and translates their music into gorgeous paintings. But the condition can happen in other ways, too—people’s brains get “cross-wired” in different forms.

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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.