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.
Travel
February 13, 2026

My Modern Met’s Art + Culture Guide to Montréal

As the second-largest city in Canada, Montréal is a bustling metropolis that marries history with contemporary culture. The French and English-speaking locale has spectacular food with an incredible art and music scene that’s active throughout the year. My Modern Met has made your trip to Montréal an easy one by providing recommendations on where to stay, what to see, and meals you won’t want to miss.

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Technology
February 11, 2026

Countries Across Europe Are Considering Social Media Bans for Kids Under 16 Years Old

A push for a teenagerless internet is gaining ground in Europe. It wouldn’t exactly be teenagerless, but if regulators in countries such as Spain and the Czech Republic are successful, young people under 16 years old would be banned from social media apps, including Instagram and Snapchat. On February 3, 2026, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced his country’s plans to implement an under-16 ban from social media.

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Academy
February 3, 2026

Realism or Abstraction? You Don’t Have To Choose in This Online Art Class

When thinking about artistic styles, realism and abstraction are at opposite ends of the spectrum. One is representational while the other prizes emotional impact. It might seem like you have to choose one or the other when working on a piece of art, but not according to Dimitra Milan. She has a style she’s coined “abstract realism,” which combines elements of both approaches to create a cohesive image.

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Photo Contest
January 28, 2026

Humpback Whale Duo Swimming Perfectly in Sync Wins 2025 Underwater Photo Contest

The marine world is full of wonder and mystery; one that photographers illuminate through stunning underwater imagery. Enchanting creatures, whirling waters, and the delicate environment are just some of what’s captured as creatives combine documentation with artistry. The Dive Photo Guide (DPG) recognizes those who excel at this photography genre, and the organization has recently announced the winners of the DPG Masters Underwater Imaging Competition 2025.

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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.