We can all likely recall moments from our school days when we couldn’t resist the urge to let our minds wander during class. Whether it was writing letters to friends or daydreaming while staring out the window, we’ve all been there. For young Joe Whale, however, doodling became his preferred pastime during class, often leading to trouble with his teachers.
Joe, then just 9 years old, simply couldn’t stop himself from doodling in his workbook, even if it meant getting into trouble. Recognizing their son’s passion and talent for art, Joe’s parents decided to support his hobby rather than suppress it.
It didn’t take long for Joe’s potential to shine. His after-school art teacher, Kerry, noticed his remarkable talent and quickly moved him into a more advanced class. Joe’s father, Greg, recounted the moment when Kerry asked for some of Joe’s work to assess his skill level, and he couldn’t believe the talent he saw.
Joe’s journey took an exciting turn when his art teacher shared some of his work on Instagram. It caught the attention of the owner of a local restaurant called “Number 4,” who approached Kerry with a special request: they wanted to use Joe’s drawings to decorate their restaurant.
With his parents’ support, Joe began creating his art directly on the restaurant’s walls. His proud dad shared that Joe excels in various aspects of life, including academics, sports like football and cricket, but it’s his passion for drawing that truly shines.
“He was in school getting frustrated at the little amount of art he could do, so he used to doodle on the table’s whiteboard in class and get into trouble for doodling,” Greg explained.
The fact that an independent business approached a nine-year-old boy to create professional artwork for them is nothing short of incredible. Joe’s talent and dedication serve as an inspiration to us all. Share his story with your friends and family to celebrate this gifted young artist’s incredible journey.