Boy Reprimanded For Drawing Gets Hired By Restaurant To Design Its Wall Art

Nov 07, 2022 by apost team

As a young boy, little Joe Whale from Shropshire, England, had frequently landed in trouble for doodling in class. His creative streak was apparent since before he had even started school, but daily classes left him little time to indulge in his favorite hobby. But rather than trying to suppress their son's creativity, Whale's parents decided to channel his talents in a more positive direction by enrolling him in an after-school art class. There, his tutors were left in awe of the young boy’s talent, which resulted in his first job decorating the interior of a restaurant in 2019.

According to Metro, Joe would frequently get in trouble at school for doodling too much. Joe, on the other hand, just wanted more time to do what he loves: art; and he was frustrated with the little time he had to do it.

Instead of shutting down his passion, his parents enrolled the then 9-year-old in an after-school art class in 2019.

"His drawings blew his teacher away and they gave him his own wall to keep doodling on which he does every week when he goes there," Joe's dad, Greg, told the outlet.

Joe's father couldn't be prouder of his son. The boy excels in all his activities, but he is definitely showing the most potential and passion for art. His father claims humorously that his son is even better than him at many things.

"Joe is a really talented little boy," his dad, Greg, said. "He’s excelling at school, he’s a great footballer and cricketer, but drawing is definitely what he is most passionate about. It’s actually quite annoying, he’s better than me at most things," he added to Metro jokingly.

Joe's art teacher recognized some unique talent in the boy, and she began to post his creations on social media. This resulted in a terrific milestone for Joe as it led to his first official job as an artist.

The teacher called Joe's parents a short while afterward to tell them that a restaurant wanted their son to decorate their walls with his artwork.

His parents were ecstatic when they heard this, and when they told Joe about it, he agreed without hesitation. The restaurant, located in Shrewsbury, England, called Number Four saw the boy's artwork online, and they decided that it would be perfect for their dining room.

Greg recalled his son’s enthusiastic reaction to the offer, telling Metro, “They wanted to get Joe into their restaurant to complete an art piece on their wall, and it was in their main dining area, we were over the moon,” adding “I asked Joe and he of course leapt at the chance to do it so we have been going there after school where for a couple of hours a night he’ll put his creativity on their wall.”

After school, Joe's dad would drive him to the restaurant for the project, which altogether only took his son 12 hours to finish. Greg's post of Joe's artwork on his LinkedIn account has garnered almost 37,000 likes, while stories on Joe’s incredible artwork went viral. After starting a website, Instagram and Facebook accounts under the name “Doodle Boy,” Joe has catapulted to fame, catching the eye of top brands as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales!

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Since gaining popularity with his Number Four artwork, Joe has attracted legions of fans and followers, including Catherine, Princess of Wales and heir to the throne Prince William. In December 2020, they enlisted his help to illustrate their three-day tour on the royal train as they visited front-line workers. 

In January 2022, now 12-year-old Joe signed a contract with sporting goods empire Nike as a “co-creator,” and will collaborate with them on “some special projects.” Joe told the Mirror he was thrilled to be working with them.

“This is one of my dreams. Nike is such a big thing and there'll be loads of fun stuff coming up soon that I'm really excited for. I just keep telling myself, do what you love, do what you love, doodle. It feels very good. I'm really proud of myself,” he said.

He added art is just in his blood.

“I have always drawn all my life since I was 2 or 3. I started doodling when I was 6 or 7 when I wanted to change my style. It has worked out really well,” he recalled, adding, “I don't really think about what I'm doing, I just go ahead with it and just create from my mind. I don't really plan, I just do what I'm feeling.”

Now Joe is courting international success by linking up with the art gallery Soden Collection to showcase his work. On Nov. 6, 2022, he joined fellow art lovers for a live doodling session that attracted huge crowds. With his captivating black-and-white pieces reminiscent of a new school Keith Haring, we’re certain Joe has a long and illustrious road ahead in the art world.

What do you think of Joe Whale’s artistic talent? Do you have any of your own? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to family, friends and all the art lovers you know.