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.
January 1, 2020

Surreal Animal Paintings Reimagine Wildlife and Their Connection to Nature

Artist Jon Ching is mesmerized by the beautiful plumage of birds. He celebrates their incredible markings and colors in dreamlike paintings that fuse animals with other parts of nature—and sometimes other creatures, too. In one instance, small red birds replace the bulbous blooms on tropical plants. Another of Ching's oil artworks presents a stately portrait of a turquoise-colored bird whose layers of feathers morph into leaves punctuated by yellow flowers.

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December 30, 2019

Creative Uncle Designs Vintage Toy Packaging for Cash Gifts to Nieces and Nephews

When Donnachaidha Ó Chionnaigh learned that his nieces and nephews wanted cash for Christmas, he wasn’t surprised. Despite the straightforward request, he still want to do something more than just handing them some folded bills. “Cash as a gift, while practical, always feels impersonal,” he tweeted, “so I made special packaging.” Chionnaigh’s creative solution reimagined the cash as if it were a doll or figurine, and he housed the money in vintage-inspired blister packs.

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December 26, 2019

Puppy Day Care in South Korea Snaps the Most Adorable Photos of Tiny Doggos Napping

Puppies are little babies (that happen to have fur) and require a lot of care. But what are their humans to do when they have to go to work? Take them to a daycare, of course! Puppy Spring in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea is one of these places that little doggies can go to get the care and attention they need. The center welcomes pups that are aged 12 weeks and older.

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December 23, 2019

Moldy Bread Science Experiment Is a Gross Reminder of How Many Germs Are on Our Hands

Have you ever wondered how many germs are lurking on your laptop? Or what happens when you don’t wash your hands? Educators Jaralee Metcalf and Dayna Robertson conducted an experiment, found through the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital website, that will open your eyes to just how much bacteria is on your hands and devices if left uncleaned.

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