Art History
May 3, 2020

How Henri Rousseau Became the Untrained Master of Surreal Jungle-Inspired Paintings

Many famous artists from history were unappreciated in their time, but French post-impressionist painter Henri Rousseau was particularly mocked by critics for his “childlike” compositions. The self-taught naïve artist became best-known for his lush jungle scenes—despite having never left France or seen a jungle first-hand. Instead, his now-iconic paintings were inspired by children's books as well as the zoo and botanical gardens of Paris.   Who Was Henri Rousseau?

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Creative Products
May 1, 2020

People Are Crocheting Tiny Kitty Couches for Their Favorite Felines

Cats often think that the entire house is their domain to lounge wherever they please. But maybe, with the help of some quirky DIYs, these felines will stay off the couch—because they’ll now have their own cat-sized version of it. A recent crafting trend has people crocheting miniature couches that are meant just for their kitties. Some of the furniture even includes an adorable granny square afghan to drape over the back or arms.

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Inspiring
May 1, 2020

100-Year-Old War Vet Gets 150,000 Birthday Cards After Raising $37 Million for Healthcare Workers

About a month before his 100th birthday, World War II veteran Captain Tom Moore promised to walk 100 laps of his backyard garden to raise money for the British National Health Service, or NHS. His inspiring efforts captured hearts across the U.K. and within days, Moore surpassed his initial goal of £1,000 (about $1,258) by thousands, and then, quickly, by millions of pounds.

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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.