Maurice L. Gibbs (he/him) is an artist and educator based in Long Beach, California, whose work centers storytelling, imagination, and joy. With a background in Education Studies and a minor in Art at Illinois Wesleyan University, Maurice has spent years working in after-school programs, where he shares his love of creativity with young people. He currently works with youth at the YMCA in Huntington Beach, CA. As a program contractor with the City of Long Beach, Maurice enjoys teaching the senior citizen community of Silverado Park, painting and arts and crafts.

Maurice’s artistic practice is primarily two-dimensional and includes painting, pen and ink, illustration, and mixed media, with occasional sculptural elements. His work spans children’s book illustration, comic book art, concert posters, murals, portraits, and logo design. As a storybook illustrator, he has illustrated In the Shadow of Green Man (with New Translation) and Rufulus and the Mushroom: Dad Tales Series (unpublished). He is also the writer and illustrator of his own children’s book, It’s Kwanzaa, Karl!!, a project that reflects his passion for culturally grounded storytelling and world-building for young readers.

In addition to publishing and illustration work, Maurice has created program artwork for theatrical productions, including You Never Can Tell by George Bernard Shaw at St. Olaf College Theater in Northfield, Minnesota. His work has been exhibited at the Northfield Arts Guild Community Spring Art Show (2018), the Northfield Arts Guild Friday Night Art Show (2018), Uprising I (2018), Uprising II (2019) at St. Olaf College, and galleries in Bloomington, Illinois.

Drawing has been a liberating force in Maurice's life since childhood, and that sense of freedom continues to guide his practice today. He is especially energized by collaborative projects and has worked closely with first-time and amateur authors, helping bring their stories to life visually and supporting them in realizing long-held creative dreams. Whether teaching, illustrating, or exhibiting, Maurice approaches art as a shared experience rooted in generosity, play, and connection.