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.
Photo Contest
March 4, 2025

Incredible Winning Images of The Nature Photography Contest 2024

No matter how much we see of this great planet, it'll never cease to amaze us. But, a reminder never hurts. For that, look no further than the winning images of The Nature Photography Contest 2024. Showcasing photographers worldwide, the selected imagery is beautiful from an aesthetic perspective. Just as important, however, is the greater messaging around it. The photographs are a voice for nature.

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Art History
July 15, 2024

2,000+ Years of Dogs in Art, From Ancient Mosaics to Instagram Selfies

Our four-legged friends are often the muses for art of all kinds. Of these creatures, dogs are one of the most popular subjects for painting, sculpture, and photography. Throughout art history, they’ve made appearances with members of the aristocracy, self-portraits with famous creatives, and been immortalized as balloons—and that’s just a small fraction of the dog art that exists between the past and today.

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Art Supplies
June 16, 2024

13 of the Best Sketchbooks That Artists of All Abilities Love to Draw In

A sketchbook is the ultimate artist's companion. Like a close friend, you'll spend a lot of time with it and tell it your inner thoughts (through drawing, painting, and writing). Many artists will regularly fill their pads with a bevy of drawings. Some are so polished that their books feel like mobile art galleries. But, gorgeous spreads aren’t the point of keeping a sketchbook.

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Academy
May 7, 2024

Mother’s Day Sale at My Modern Met Academy: Save 15% On All Creative Classes

Parents can be a challenge to shop for, and moms are no expectation. What do you get for the woman who has given you everything? It’s said that experiences bring greater joy than things, which is the perfect excuse to get your mom started with online learning. Through My Modern Met Academy, our e-learning platform, you can give your mom the gift of knowledge through drawing, painting, crafts, and photography.

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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.