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.
Acrylic Painting
August 16, 2022

Artist Paints Ethereal Flowers on Canvas and Shares Her Abstract Techniques With Others

Flower painting has a long place in art history. The practice has been around for centuries; and today, artists continue the tradition in various styles. Nitika Alé favors an abstract aesthetic, in which the blooms seemingly float on the canvas. The flowers are clad in luscious colors and techniques including drip texture and energetic brushstrokes. Together, the elements showcase Alé’s passion for beautiful blooms. Abstract painting can be a challenge.

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Crafts
August 8, 2022

Handcrafted Rugs Use Rodents as Muses for Art That Imitates Life

Rug design used to be something that seemed unachievable for many artists. But thanks to a tufting renaissance (and the relative accessibility of tufting guns), numerous creatives have started crafting artsy rugs—many of them custom designs. Iana of BBRUG creates handmade custom rugs that have a variety of influences. But of them, designs featuring rodents have delighted the internet.

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Sculpture
August 1, 2022

Angels Emerge From the Walls in Amazing Life-Sized Relief Sculptures

Artist Hossein Behzadi sculpts figures that emerge from interior walls. His incredible relief art features portraits of women and angels that don sweeping wings and flowing garments. Created to match the walls they're on, the tonal artworks are full of so much life that they're ready to burst into living color. They are strong yet delicate, with Behzadi conveying the gentle drape of fabrics and slightly tousled hair using plaster and palette knives.

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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.