Many cities around the country hold First Friday events when artists showcase their work. For Compositions, I’ll be featuring an artist for the first blog of each month, and this month it simply has to be in honor of Steve Jobs. My life would not be what it is today without the inventions and vision of Steve Jobs. It was an Apple II my artistic fingers first found. My first business expense was a $2500 Apple G3 desktop. Six years later I humbly traded it with a friend for a new i-pod Nano. With my MacBook Pro I’ve traveled to Paris, Canada, across the US, built my business and my portfolio, and written a book or two.
Perhaps my greatest influence from Steve and Apple was in creativity. There are many rules when it comes to composition–for writers, for photographers, for designers and artists–and he was known for bending, snapping and blowing them all. By forging new boundaries with his work, he enabled me to try new things with mine. The commercials, the packaging, the colors, and technology all showed me I could build things that are both smart and beautiful. More importantly, when I strive to create something worthwhile, I have seen how it helps others discover their own worth.
He didn’t just talk about creating something different. He didn’t just talk about building jobs. He didn’t just talk about making the world better. He actually did it. Just as he said he would in this 1997 commercial. Thankfully.
Now it’s up to us. How will you pay it forward?
2 Comments on The Ultimate Jobs Creator
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Excellent post, Karen! I found myself welling up when I explained to my kids that the inventor of the iPad (they were playing on mine, of course!), iPhone, iPod, iTouch, Toy Story and Cars had passed away. It’s mind-boggling to think of the ways Steve Jobs forever changed the way we communicate (not to mention, market, design and package products!), for generations to come. Steve’s genius first touched my life back in high school — the first computer I ever touched was a Mac in my journalism class. Today I witness his impact on my kids’ lives. At just 4 and 6, they KNOW and LOVE Apple devices and Pixar movies — they’ve been asking me questions about Steve all week. I keep my message simple: He was an inventor, a visionary who refused to follow. He led.
He was remarkable. Losing him at such a young age felt as wrenching as when we lost Jim Henson. They both made the world better for adults and children. Perhaps they are somewhere together watching The Muppet Show and Wall-E on an iPad.