What is Cubism, and Why is It Important?

Art oil painting Abstract Triangle Curve Square Music , pablo picasso

Fractured planes, distorted anatomy, geometric explosions โ€” it all sounds chaotic, but really, these are some of the hallmarks of the most influential art movement in the early 20th century. A radical departure from traditional representation in art and a reinvention of form: Cubism. But what exactly is this avant-garde style, and why did it […]

Virtual Art Galleries: The Future of Accessible Art

A child wearing VR goggles plays

Art is made to be experienced. The ideal way to view a painting is up-close and in a way that allows the audience to be present with the work โ€” and while technology and digital advancements are often seen as barriers to โ€œtrue art viewing,โ€ modern advancements are actually bringing art to the people in […]

Inspiring Innovations Spotlight: Michelangelo

Michelangelo Sculpture

He is lauded as the most accomplished artist of his era. His works encompass not just paintings or sculptures, but whole buildings and imagistic representations of an entire religious doctrine. In his understanding of how to recreate human anatomy, he is unparalleled. The brilliant creatorโ€™s artistic process was characterized by an unparalleled dedication to mastering […]

Canvas Painting for Beginners: A Guide

Woman in studio, painting on canvas

You can technically paint on anything, but your choice of surface is just as important as choosing the right brush and paint type. While much can be said about the different surfaces one can paint on, chances are good that if youโ€™re interested in picking up painting as a pastime, youโ€™d probably like to try […]

Inspiring Innovations Spotlight: Nikola Tesla

An image of Nikola Tesla and his electricity experiments

AI, computing, robots that can paint โ€” these are common topics of daily discussion here at The Kirby Foundation. The groundwork of modern technology like this was laid by a multitude of different innovators, inventors, and fusioneers, and it is to these ingenious pioneers that we owe all of our futuristic advancements โ€” but one […]

The Symphony Within: How Music Affects Creativity

close up of sheet music on paper

Music is a timeless expression of the human experience. Anthropologists and historians are unsure if language or music developed first, and even nature is full of its own share of music, like the melodies produced by birds, whales, frogs, and even insects. It makes sense, then, that music holds a great deal of power within […]

Mastering Texture and Visual Effects with Palette Knives: A Beginner Guide

wood table with palette knifes and various paint texture tools

In the realm of visual art, each stroke of the brush, each texture created, and every color applied carries the potential to convey emotions, stories, and beauty. To shape these elements, painters arenโ€™t just using brushes โ€” in fact, your favorite effect or โ€œbrushstrokeโ€ in your favorite painting may have been made by something else: […]

5 Trailblazing Women in Science

Marie Curie, Famous scientist radioactivity, Colorful psychadelic illustration, Generative AI

Throughout history, the STEM fields have been seen as a gated boysโ€™ club โ€” despite the fact that women have always had their place on the forefront of scientific innovation and discovery. Female scientists and innovators have made indelible marks on knowledge and society, challenging stereotypes and breaking barriers to pave the way for future […]

Inspiring Innovations Spotlight: Mary Shelley, The Mother of Science Fiction

Inspiring Innovations Spotlight: Mary Shelley, The Mother of Science Fiction

Here at the Kirby Foundation, we strive to highlight the inspirational fusions that can be made with art and science (like Dulcinea, the robot artist that paints like a classical master). Today, in the 21st century, itโ€™s easy to see the myriad ways in which art and technology support each other, and topics of science […]