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.
TV
November 30, 2022

Why You Never See Wednesday Addams Blinking in the “Wednesday” Netflix Show

The Netflix show Wednesday is getting a lot of buzz, particularly about its lead actor, Jenna Ortega. She plays the titular role of Wednesday Addams and has totally transformed herself into the iconic, stone-faced character. One feature that fans have picked up on is that Wednesday doesn’t blink—a choice that was intentional by Ortega and director Tim Burton. Burton and Ortega wanted to convey a deadpan look from Wednesday, and her mannerisms helped achieve it.

Read Article

Sculpture
November 29, 2022

Artist Uses His Own Blood to Create Frozen Self Portrait Sculptures of His Head

Like many artists, Marc Quinn explores the notion of self through portraiture. But his self-portraiture offers an unexpected—and squeamish—twist to the genre. In his 1991 sculpture titled Self, he began to use his body as raw material for the piece. He made a cast of his own head and filled it with 10 pints of his blood immersed in frozen silicone. To keep the piece in a solid state, its temperature is maintained at -0.

Read Article

Gift Guide
November 25, 2022

30 Creative Literary Gifts to Give to Your Favorite Bookworm

There are those that have an insatiable love for reading that defines who they are. So when it comes time to give them a gift, it makes sense to shower them with “novel” items. There are many makers who have a similar passion for literature and translate it into special gifts for book lovers. From necklaces to tea to cookie cutters, it's easy to celebrate your favorite bookworm with a special present.

Read Article

Installation
November 23, 2022

Real Dried Flowers Dangle From Ceilings in Immersive Botanical Installations

British artist Rebecca Louise Law creates immersive installations using real dried flowers. Dangling from the ceiling like a natural curtain, the flora invites the viewer to interact with the space in a new way. As they move through the strands of delicate petals and pods, there is the opportunity to look at and really study what has fascinated humans throughout time. One of Law’s latest exhibitions has recently opened at the Honolulu Museum of Art.

Read Article

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.