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.
Social Cause
April 22, 2021

14-Year-Old Sews 1,000 Colorful Bow Ties To Help Animals Find Forever Homes

When it comes to searching for a furry friend to adopt, many folks look online to find their furever connection. A great photo is key; it will make someone stop mid-scroll and hopefully bring that pet one step closer to finding a loving home. Sir Darius Brown, who is only 14 years old, understands this and is helping cute kitties and doggies, one bow tie at a time.

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Acrylic Painting
April 16, 2021

Artist Reimagines Majestic Mountainscapes as Jewel-Toned Polygon Paintings

Artist Elyse Dodge translates the world’s natural beauty into colorful geometric forms. Through her hand-crafted acrylic paintings, mountains are reimagined as multifaceted towers where jagged planes are replaced with smooth, jewel-toned triangles. Coupled with equally bright—and more realistic—depictions of trees and water, the mountains take on a personality and quickly become the main character of each piece. Their fractured state gives them a feeling of movement; it's as if they're vibrating.

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Animals
April 13, 2021

Dazzling Golden Tortoise Beetles Look Like Tiny Jewels Scurrying Across Leaves

When is a tortoise not a tortoise? When it’s actually a beetle! The golden tortoise beetle, whose scientific species name is aspidimorpha sanctaecrucis, is a creature with a turtle-like shell decorated with a striking golden pattern on its protective carapace. It looks like a tiny jewel come to life. As adorable as the beetle is sparkling, the part-golden, part-transparent carapace does more than just look pretty.

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Art Supplies
March 14, 2021

Learn About How Linseed Oil Can Improve the Qualities You Already Love About Oil Paint

Oil paints have been the chosen material of artists for centuries, and it’s easy to see why. The luscious pigments and beautiful sheen that they produce give any subject an air of regality. But did you know that there’s a way to increase these qualities in your paint? Linseed oil is a painting medium that can be added to alter the pigment ever-so-slightly to behave in a different way.

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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.