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.
Store
October 31, 2025

25 Art Gifts That Practicing Artists and Creative Enthusiasts Will Love

What are your earliest memories of art? Perhaps you recall scribbling on your walls with a marker or decorating your prized coloring book in a rainbow of hues. Whatever your experiences were, it’s safe to say that your life has been touched by art—even if you don’t consider yourself a creative person. And you're not alone; this is why art gifts are some of the most unique presents you can give someone.

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Technology
October 29, 2025

These Artists, Architects, and Directors Are the Most-Used Prompts for Generative AI Art

Generative AI has enabled anyone to create artwork they’ve only dreamt about in their head. With one prompt, someone can conjure fantastical scenes rich in incredible detail in a variety of aesthetic styles. However, to achieve this, they must provide the AI with an idea of what that looks like, often accompanied by an artist’s name or style. Some names and styles are replicated more than others.

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Art
October 24, 2025

Nearly 30 Years of Artist Lee Bul’s Extensive Oeuvre in One Expansive Exhibition

For artists who have been working for many years, survey exhibitions are a valuable opportunity for us to understand their work as a single oeuvre. What throughlines are there? Are there recurring motifs visible from project to project? Artist Lee Bul is an influential figure in Korean contemporary art, and a major survey exhibition of her work at the Leeum Museum of Art is a journey into her artistic mind.

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Art
October 17, 2025

Art Toronto Director Shares What We Can Expect From “Canada’s Art Fair” This Year [Interview]

The beauty of an art fair is that it offers a chance to showcase the creative culture of the city or region where it is held. The Seattle Art Fair, for instance, used the event as an opportunity to explore the long tradition of glass art in the Pacific Northwest region. Art Toronto is another fair tapping into the host city and the greater country’s rich culture to develop its distinct point of view.

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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.