Like many people, I was quite shocked to hear about the death of Steve Jobs a few days ago. We all knew he was sick, but didn’t really want to believe that the end was so near. When I heard about it, I had just sat down to do some drawing, so I wanted to sketch a little tribute to him. Normally I do not attempt to draw likenesses of people, since it is very difficult to do well and I don’t think I’m that good at it. But, I think it turned out ok.

I’ve listened to others talk about their reactions to this news, and one common thread is that people find it strange that they are so affected by the death of a public figure that they do not even know. That is something I’m feeling as well. And it is strange. Call me one of the fools who has bought into the hype, but since I bought my first Mac in 2005 I’ve never really looked back. I remember that feeling of using a Mac and iPod for the first time and thinking that this is the way it should be. I genuinely enjoy using Mac’s, iPhones, iPads, and iPods. And, they are a direct result of a set of values and principles laid out by this one person. They rail against conventional business thinking, but it’s like he was able to see through it to what mattered to users. There is a lot about him that I admire, and I’d call myself fortunate to have been around at the same time he was here doing what he does.