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.
Art History
August 6, 2023

Who Was N.C. Wyeth? Learn About the 20th Century Illustrator Responsible for Over 100 Books

In an era that’s known as the Golden Age of illustration, illustrator Newell Convers Wyeth (aka N.C. Wyeth) was one of its superstars. The American painter contributed illustrations to over 100 books and painted over 4,000 images. His realistically rendered pictures visualized classic tales like Treasure Island, The Last of the Mohicans, and Robinson Crusoe. Wyeth also created illustrations for advertising campaigns such as Coca-Cola and Kellogg’s Foods.

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Art History
July 22, 2023

Learn About the Magic of Mary Blair, an Illustrator Who Helped Define Early Disney Films

If you’ve watched a Walt Disney animated classic or read a vintage Golden Book, then you’ve likely interacted with the art of Mary Blair. The illustrator and animator left her mark on the visual culture of the mid-20th century in ways that are still celebrated today. As a concept artist for Disney, she created stylized designs that informed the look of films such as Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan.

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Furniture
July 8, 2023

Lighting Fixture Uses 100% Recycled Materials To Combine Sleek With Sustainability

When we think about sustainability and our homes, we’re often only thinking about the systems that power them. Solar panels on the roof are one example, but it's important to take a holistic approach. How can the things we use to decorate our home be eco-friendly, too? Contardi is an Italian lighting company that asked the question, “What is green lighting?

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Woodworking
July 4, 2023

Watch a Japanese Artisan Transform a Block of Wood Into a Traditional Japanese Noh Mask

Noh is a traditional Japanese theater art with a legacy that continues today. This form of classical dance-drama has been performed since the 14th century and is still regularly practiced today. It's often based on stories in traditional literature and involves the supernatural, with masks as an integral part of the performance. These wooden masks are artworks in their own right, and artisans work to craft, and ultimately transform, them into characters.

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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.