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.
Street Art
September 3, 2025

Monumental Lacework Mural Highlights Cultural Heritage of a Romanian City’s Fabric

A building in Ploiești, Romania, has had a giant piece of lace affixed to its side—at least, that’s what it looks like. Polish street artist NeSpoon has worked her signature magic, painting a monumental mural that depicts ornamental lace. With incredible attention to detail—especially at such a large scale—and subtle drop shadows, it creates the illusion of real lace that’s been crafted to stretch five stories high.

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Hotels
August 29, 2025

Populus Seattle: Luxury Hotel Where Art, Sustainability, Design, and Fine Dining Meet

Seattle is a city known for its breathtaking vistas alongside cutting-edge industry. But before it was a tech hub, this Pacific Northwest (PNW) jewel had a thriving timber industry in the mid-19th century. Warehouses and other buildings were constructed in the downtown corridor to support it, but their original purpose has long since passed. These buildings have been rehabbed into workspaces, housing, and, in the case of Populus Seattle, a luxury hotel.

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Acrylic Painting
August 27, 2025

Anthropomorphic Bears and Bunnies Stand in for Humans in Paintings Commenting on Modern Life

Life is nothing without contrasts. Things can be sad, but they can also be funny. Someone can be sincere yet weave sarcasm into their response. Los Angeles-based artist Luke Chueh explores this type of duality—and contradictions—in his solo exhibition titled Making Light of the Darkness, now on view at Harman Projects in New York City.

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Museums
August 22, 2025

San Diego Museum of Art Plans for Upcoming Expansion Amid a World-Class Collection

One of the best things about visiting a new city, or rediscovering your own, is the local art museum. These important institutions allow us to experience art in an intimate setting—beyond our computer screens—and appreciate a variety of creativity and perspectives. If you’re in Southern California, the San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) is a must-visit for this type of cultural experience.

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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.