[3] The family planned to move to South Australia to set up a farm in 1879 due to Herbert's failing eyesight, the result of a boyhood injury.

Gibbs' art education also included 'half-hours' at the studios of Victoria and Albert Museum where students could draw the nude for free,[22] and a term at the School for Black and White Artists run by Henry Blackburn, editor of London Society.

Notably, Gibbs illustrated an article written by Senator Agnes Robertson on the women's rights movement 'Women's Position in the State' by 'One of Them'.

1913 also marked the first public appearance of the gumnut babies, on the front cover of The Missing Button by Ethel Turner, which Gibbs had illustrated.

She produced postcards depicting gumnut babies in uniform to support Australia's role in World War One at this time.

Gibbs married Bertram James Ossoli Kelly, a mining agent, on 17 April 1919,[27] whom she met during a visit to Perth.

James Ossoli Kelly, according to a Sutherland Shire Historical Bulletin, was a friend of Francis de Groot, the member of the fascist paramilitary organisation, the New Guard.

[29] De Groot would most infamously disrupt the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, disgruntled at the leftist policies of the then NSW Premier Jack Lang.

[30] Gibbs continued to write and illustrate children's books, publishing Little Ragged Blossom in 1920[31] and Little Obelia the following year.

[32] In addition to her work illustrating and writing, Gibbs maintained two comic strips, Bib and Bub 1924–1967 and Tiggy Touchwood 1925–1931, in opposition newspapers.

[13] Gibbs and her husband Kelly's connection to Francis de Groot and the New Guard, the largest and most successful fascist organisation in Australian history have long been omitted or brushed over as it is in-congruent with her posthumous reputation as a children's author and illustrator.

[39] In 1985 a postage stamp honouring Gibbs, or her best known creations, was issued by Australia Post as part of a set of five commemorating children's books.

[42][43] On 3 December 2016, the State Library of New South Wales opened an exhibition of Gibbs' artwork to mark the 100th anniversary of the e publication of Gumnut Babies.