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.
Art
May 24, 2020

People Recreate Works of Art With Objects Found at Home During Self-Quarantine

Like many cultural institutions, the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles is closed due to the spread of the coronavirus. But during this challenging time, the Getty has found a way to keep people engaged with their art—even though they can't see it in person. They've challenged their social media followers to “recreate a work of art with objects (and people)” from the comfort of their own homes. And the internet did not disappoint.

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Inspiring
May 21, 2020

Champion Gymnast and Model With Down Syndrome Reveals the Beauty of Inclusivity

Athlete and model Chelsea Werner shows us what it’s like to achieve big things despite what the world might assume of you. Werner was born with Down syndrome, but she hasn't let the genetic disorder stop her from going after her dreams. Now, she’s an international model and a multi-time champion of the Special Olympics—and she's just getting started. Werner began playing sports at the age of eight.

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Portrait Photography
May 19, 2020

Ethereal Portraits Highlight the Unique Beauty of a Girl With Albinism and Heterochromia

When Chechen photographer Amina Arsakova spotted a picture of 11-year-old Amina Ependieva in a shopping center, she was immediately intrigued by the young girl’s unique beauty. This is because Ependieva has two rare genetic conditions: albinism and heterochromia. The former is a condition that reduces the amount of melanin pigment in the skin, eyes, and hair, while the latter is a difference in coloration of the iris.

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Tattoos
May 15, 2020

Optical Illusion Tattoos Imagine Fine-Lined Designs in Dizzying Double Vision

Tattooist Yatzil Elizalde will have you seeing double, triple, or even quadruple thanks to her dizzying body art. The fine line and blackwork designs feature the likes of portraits, cartoon characters, and animals that are presented in multiple images laid on top of one another. To view them as a single form, you have to squint your eyes; otherwise, you might start to feel cross-eyed.

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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.