Photography posted Nov 28, 2018 @ 08:30pm by John Luke Kieper

PHOTOS: Artists pay tribute to the late SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenburg

Monday was a heartbreaking day for children and adults alike as SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg lost his battle with ALS at just 57-years-old.

Hillenburg's show, which first aired in 1999, was so instrumental to people growing up that it prompted artists to give their best renditions of his iconic characters in a tribute.

Shown below are some of the many tributes to Stephen Hillenburg:

thank you for a wonderful childhood Stephen Hillenburg pic.twitter.com/p1PRwnHW8h
— Cy ⛈⚡⛈⚡ (@cerealkidman) November 27, 2018

Thank you Stephen Hillenburg, you shall always be in our hearts and never forgotten. pic.twitter.com/7KTatzK65s
— Fiinel (@FiinelRush) November 28, 2018

Thank you for showing us it's okay to be yourself. Even if you are just a kid, or a goofball, or a wing nut, or a Knucklehead McSpazatron. pic.twitter.com/IM5lz5qicp
— Barb Kalustian (@bobbinskydraws) November 28, 2018

Rest Easy Stephen Hillenburg ... RIP pic.twitter.com/A7YILbzaS1
— tori ☁️ (looking for internship!) (@toriisu) November 27, 2018

Up, up and awaaaaaayyy! Heart broken about Stephen Hillenburg. Spongebob was a huge part of my childhood. pic.twitter.com/m4wWcd504O
— Kirsten Shiel (@KirstenShielART) November 28, 2018

A Patty for Stephen pic.twitter.com/EwieMVc4nS
— Toaster Water (@toaster_water) November 28, 2018

Thank You Stephen Hillenburg pic.twitter.com/nS6EpsHoUX
— Toaster Water (@toaster_water) November 28, 2018

theres no words to describe how much spongebob has shaped my entire childhood and present, its still the base of my entire sense of humour today. ive made multiple friends through it and it made my life better in so many ways. rest in peace stephen hillenburg, thank u pic.twitter.com/ScoP9YD2gm
— Jo (@potajos) November 28, 2018

Thanks again Steve. pic.twitter.com/95d3EwwSLr
— Dylan B (@bozicdraws) November 28, 2018

Thank you Stephen Hillenburg~ pic.twitter.com/3HbK9Ej97v
— Ajastory (@aja_story) November 28, 2018

thank you Stephen Hillenburg for all of your work especially spongebob, it'll always have a special place in my heart pic.twitter.com/0FmX0OCygB
— ki🍞@cf12 (@poisonicpen) November 27, 2018

RIP Stephen Hillenburg. Thank you for the inspiring creativity, fun and countless moments of laughter you've brought to so many people. #SpongeBobSquarepants pic.twitter.com/HvFpWxMZ9F
— Vincent Lovallo (@Vincredible_23) November 28, 2018

pic.twitter.com/LKA4AqVy6S
— Raniery Oliveira (@RaniSagaz) November 28, 2018

bye bye pic.twitter.com/slh0xxqiSr
— blair (@gothmeatloaf) November 28, 2018

Spongebob plays a huge part of my life, childhood and It will always be.
Thank you Stephen Hillenburg for all the fun, laugh and joy.
We will miss you so much! pic.twitter.com/2Ixu2tP8CL
— Barradiza / Diza (@BarraDiza) November 28, 2018

thank you mr hillenburg for making my childhood brighter pic.twitter.com/P3XNoAWrGr
— 𝔊𝔢𝔬𝔯𝔤𝔦𝔢 𝔐𝔞𝔤𝔢𝔯 (@georgemager) November 27, 2018

Godspeed, Stephen Hillenburg.

Thank you for making my childhood - and millions of others - so much better. pic.twitter.com/NgRmk8EgZ2
— ǝɯʎ˥꧁꧂uʎɯǝ˥ (@LemynLyme) November 27, 2018

rest easy, ocean man pic.twitter.com/XGXr0VbFhx
— Sketch ⛄️ (@BrokenSketch) November 27, 2018

Rest in Peace, Stephen Hillenburg pic.twitter.com/u9VzVcTVr4
— Andrew Sings Holiday Blues (@AWDtwit) November 27, 2018

I would talk in SpongeBob quotes to make friends back when I was 9. Fast forward almost 20 years later. I still quote SpongeBob to this day. RIP Stephen #Hillenburg The jokes were a huge influence to me. pic.twitter.com/Ms4NSykagU
— Fantastic Professor Bees🐝🍂 (@ProfessorBees) November 27, 2018

Thank you for all the legit belly laughs you magnificent being, you will be beyond missed.

RIP Stephen Hillenburg pic.twitter.com/QKW1LJGxfn
— SharpDressedReptile (@SharpySketch) November 28, 2018