The Internet Explodes Over Bizarre Cookie Monster Mural in Peoria

2020 isn't over yet, this bizarre mural that popped up in Peoria is further proof.

We need more reason for America to talk about Illinois, right? I'm not sure whether the story should be filed under "Good News" or "Strange S**t" but there is defintely a buzz about it. Don't believe me? Even New York Post picked up this story.

Someone reached out to Peoria artist Joshua Hawkins with a project, to paint a mural on a large part of a building. This mystery person, only known as Nate, offered to pay half the cost before the project began and the other half when it was finished. It took Hawkins and his team of 10 two full days, sun-up to sun-down to complete the mural, according to WREX.

Joshua Hawkins shared a little "behind the scenes" story about the mural on Facebook. It's so bizarre. Hawkins also said it was one of the highest paying jobs he's ever had. And, apparently, the man who wanted the mural painted left Hawkins under the impression that he was the owner of the building. Come to find out, the mural had been completely painted over by the building's actual owner. Hawkins was caught by surprise.

Evidently the guy that hired me to paint the mural was NOT really the owner of the building! It was definitely a weird situation from the beginning, and we should have asked more questions. The real owner contacted me, asking why the hell I painted this "crazy sh*t" on his building. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.

The mural is of giant-sized (creepy-looking) Cookie Monster standing over Peoria holding a huge cookie that is shooting out a rainbow. There's also something in a foreign language in the mural.

I asked him, what the Russian meant and he said it was ‘Land. Peace. Cookies I think. [..] It was a little bit weird but I thought well that’s cool I like weird stuff (WREX)

This is so strange and there are little to no answers. Hawkins admitted he should have asked more questions. If only he had hindsight.

Oh, and the Russian text?

“I asked him, what the Russian meant and he said it was ‘Land. Peace. Cookies I think. [..] It was a little bit weird but I thought well that’s cool I like weird stuff,” explained Hawkins.

JB Love is ½ of  Q98.5's Lil Zim & JB In The Morning, weekday mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.