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.
Birds
August 26, 2022

Penguin Hops on a Boat Full of Photographers To Escape the Wrath of a Seal

One little penguin decided to hitch a ride on an Antarctic taxi in order to find a safe place to land. In a video originally captured by Vladimir Seliverstov, the tiny creature suddenly makes an appearance on a boat carrying a group of photographers. Naturally, this resulted in some incredible footage of the creature standing at the bow—looking not-so-large but definitely in charge—before hopping off as if it was no big deal.

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Cats
August 24, 2022

Woman Escapes War in Ukraine With Kitten, Now They’re Exploring South of France

It’s been six months since Russia invaded Ukraine. Since that time, millions have fled the country and taken their furry friends with them. When the war started, dancer Jennifer Shyshkina knew she needed to leave with her beloved kitten Simba. The two were inseparable before the conflict, and their bond only deepened as Shyshkina packed a bag and took Simba to start over in the South of France. Shyshkina rescued the cat in fall 2021.

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Oil Painting
August 23, 2022

Amazing Hyperrealistic Portraits Capture the Fine Details of Complex Emotions

Artist Philipp Weber’s portraits will make you do a double take. His hyperrealistic works are so life-like that, at times, it’s impossible to tell whether they are a painting or a photograph. But Weber’s amazing portraiture is all done by hand using oil paint and tiny brushes. Every detail is accounted for, from glistening water beads to the fiber fuzz on a cape.

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Sculpture
August 22, 2022

Playful Balloon Sculptures Inflated Within Wire Forms Mimic Ancient Venus Figurines

The ancient Venus figurines are sculptures with origins dating back 30,000 years. Depicting female forms, their exact meaning and purpose are still unknown; but they are nonetheless iconic in their stature and have inspired artists for centuries. Designers Naama Steinbock and Idan Friedman of Reddish Studio are some of the latest creatives to craft work inspired by the sculptures’ plump bodies and distended bellies.

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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.