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.
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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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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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.