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.
Painting
March 16, 2026

Artist Blends Family Heritage and Personal History To Create Folk Art-Inspired Paintings With a Twist

Blending personal narratives and cultural influences, artist Aunia Kahn paints portraiture ripe with symbolism. The gouache works feature female figures surrounded by ornate framing and repeating patterns. Birds and flowers are two of the most prominent symbols, communicating themes of freedom and rebirth. They are universal subjects that have particular significance to Kahn as it relates to her life and artistic journey.

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Photo Contest
March 10, 2026

Striking Scene of a Toad Swimming Across a Pond Wins the 2026 British Wildlife Photography Awards

A black-and-white image of a toad swimming across a pond has a striking, abstracted feel. The silhouetted creature and the surrounding branches are flattened and slightly distorted, swirling like an oil spill as the toad’s legs form ripples in the water. Aptly titled A Toad Swims Across Its Woodland Pond, the image was shot by Paul Hobson and has recently earned a prestigious distinction.

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Store
February 27, 2026

Taste the Creativity When You Use These Fun and Functional Kitchen Supplies

Having the right tools makes even the most mundane tasks a little better. And if they’re cleverly designed, it’s icing on the cake. OTOTO makes charming kitchen supplies that turn otherwise ordinary utensils into colorful characters that are sure to make you smile. Whether you’re making soup, uncorking a bottle of wine, or just trying to organize your kitchen, the latest OTOTO addition to My Modern Met Store will have something for you.

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Sports
February 24, 2026

How U.S. Figure Skater Alysa Liu Won Olympic Gold Her Way and Inspired a New Generation of Skaters

The last minute of Alysa Liu’s Olympic gold-winning skate is a perfect encapsulation of the athlete’s journey. Skating to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park,” the final moments of the four-minute performance blended artistry and technical ability, with the 20-year-old Liu looking like she’s having the time of her life. Winning, to her, was just being out on the ice and having a stage to share her skating. It was joy personified.

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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.