I was a weird high school kid apparently. I mean I did all the normal things, held down a respectable job (life guard / swim instructor), did three sports, kept decent/good grades, and stayed out of any trouble.
In art class, I always like drawing with the Mr. Sketch Smelly Markers. Technically they are called Mr. Sketch Scented Markers…. Smelly Markers sounds so much better. Regardless, they were, and still are fantastic.
So last year when I was cleaning out my closet at my parents, I came across old artwork from high school done in the Mr. Sketch Smelly Markers. ‘Peter… the giant turtle’ is a two part story completed in Art Class back in the mid 90’s. And I call it a story because I actually wrote short paragraphs on the back of the drawings to go along with these drawings. It’s more of an unfinished saga than it is a story I suppose.
So, without further ado… The Mr. Sketch Smelly Markers saga of Peter… the giant turtle:
Story: Peter – the giant turtle – was in the pond when a rage went through his head. There were no more flies, for the humans had killed them to get rid of the pests. Peter was outraged as he crawled out of the pond towards the village. When he reached the village he stomped on their homes and ate their kids. He took out his frustration on the women, crushing their heads with his claws. People fled in terror. Only a few stays and fought in vain. Peter killed them all. He found he liked the taste of human flesh. Peter left in search of more victims….
Story: Peter – the giant turtle – wanting more human flesh swam across the great ocean. On his way through the ocean, he sedated his blood thirst with a whale here, and another there. Once, a crazed killer whale tried to kill Peter. Peter sliced off its head with his claws and then ate the whale’s heart. Peter swam on, and soon he came to a great city. He smelled the humans. He knew he would soon feast again….
I can’t imagine what the art teacher thought as a I gleefully sat there making these drawings. I mean, as a principal, well former principal now, I would have some thoughts on students making these drawings. However, they are missing any big red flags… no guns, no specific people’s names, and only as gory / graphic as stick figures could be. So not a horrible ting to see, but still….