Introducing Caveman Sketches
Find out where Jon Gibbs, "The Caveman" started his art journey below!
From his childhood in New Jersey, his love of art grew from the comic sections of newspapers, TV shows like the X-Men animated series, and comic books such as Calvin & Hobbes! As he got older on his visits to New York City he was mesmirezed walking past the work of Keith Haring and other local street artists in the subways and streets of Manhattan! One day he knew he wanted to inspire like the artists before him, using drawings and paintings...with bright colors, details, and something that represented the cultures and communities he loved!
Jon Gibbs
Founder | Muralist | Caveman
Jon has been drawing and painting ever since he was able to put paint on his hands, and pencil between his fingers! Similar to cave people, he loved getting his hands covered in paint, making simple designs just like cavemen did in caves! Drawing helped him stay focused during the long school days, sketching in the margins of his notebook while he listened to his teachers. Now as an adult he loves making and creating, inspired by all the art around him in Long Beach, California!
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Where passion meets purpose
New York City
Jon served as an AmeriCorps Member for the national non-profit, City Year where while serving full-time at P.S. 112/206 elementary school on a team of other passionate youth developers, he would also volunteer during his off-hours to support/prep beautification mural events!
Learning from the City Year Civic Engagement Team, he learned strategies in mural design, paint supply inventory, and preparation for large scale beautification events that brought over 1,000 volunteers to help beautify public spaces throughout New York City!
Where it started
Africa & New Jersey
Before Jon started working professionally in the education and non-profit world for over 15 years, he volunteered as a teacher in Moshi, Tanzania! With the challenges of teaching to over 40 students in each classroom and the Swahili language barrier, he used artwork to teach and connect with his students.
Once back in the United States, he jumped into the classroom in New Jersey, teaching 4th and 5th grade students by creating visual and active learning activities hoping to reach multiple learning styles for his students and especially motivate future artists!
California Love
Inglewood-Los Angeles
Jon started leading his own muraling events when he moved to California, continuing his service as an AmeriCorps member for Playworks, another national non-profit. He was nationally recognized as the Playworks "Rookie (Coach) of the Year" for his leadership running a beautification mural event that transformed his school campus with over 200 volunteers (click video on the left to find out more)!
He soon became the point person for all things art...creating specific mural designs, leading events for both corporate and volunteer engagements, and mentoring other members in their own event-planning.
Caveman Sketches begins!
Long Beach
After changing careers and leaving the non-profit world, Jon was hired to work as an independent contractor to paint the entire Towne Avenue Elementary campus with jungle-themed murals. During his time painting at the school, the idea of Caveman Sketches was born!
