Boy gets into trouble for doodling at school – hired by restaurant to create wall art

We can probably all remember a time when we sat in class at school doing something other than listen to the teacher.

We may have written notes to a friend or stared out of the window and dreamt of being somewhere else, but if caught by the teacher it meant trouble.

Joe Whale knows all about this after he repeatedly got into trouble for doodling in class when he should have been listening.

Instead of stopping the scribbling in his workbook 9-year-old Joe continued to doodle so his parents decide to nurture his passion.

Dad Greg said they found an afterschool art class near their home in Shrewsbury, England, and it wasn’t long before his teacher recognized Joe had a real talent.

“I asked his parents for some of his work to assess his level and could not believe what I was looking at, we moved him into an older class straight away,” Joe’s art teacher Kerry told the Metro newspaper.

“His work is very exact and immaculate, it’s very balanced, he goes straight to ink and creates perfect work straight from the start, no practicing beforehand.”

Joe’s art teacher posted some of his work on Instagram and it wasn’t long before something very special happened.

The boss of local restaurant ‘Number 4’ contacted Joe’s teacher to ask if the nine-year-old could decorate the restaurant dining room with his drawings.

Dad Greg then drove his talented son to the restaurant every day after school so he could doodle on the walls.

“Joe is a really talented little boy, he’s excelling at school, he’s a great footballer and cricketer, but drawing is definitely what he is most passionate about,” his proud dad said.

“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.

“We’re so proud of everything he’s achieving, the fact that a completely independent business has asked our nine-year old son to do a professional piece of work for them is incredible.”

Related Posts

Which Chair Are You Drawn To? A Quiet Reflection on the Connections That Shape You

Some people pass through our lives like short seasons, while others stay long enough to leave permanent marks on who we become. Imagine stepping into a quiet…

How One Family Navigated a Medical Crisis That Redefined Hope

When health changes arrive quietly, it’s easy to underestimate their seriousness. In 2022, a Texas family learned this firsthand when Steven Spinale began feeling increasingly unwell over…

How a Minneapolis Community Is Coping After the Death of a Local Nurse

In late January 2026, Minneapolis was deeply affected by the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse and U.S. citizen, during a federal immigration…

How Scientists Approach Unusual Wildlife Sightings Without Jumping to Conclusions

When reports surface about something out of the ordinary in nature, the first step is learning how to listen carefully. In the lower Rio Grande Valley near…

How to Recognize Early Breast Changes and Take Action With Confidence

Sometimes it’s a small, unexpected change that makes you pause—something you notice in the shower, a difference in the mirror, or a mild discomfort that feels new….

Melania Trump breaks silence on Alex Pretti shooting with rare plea to the U.S.

Melania Trump has spoke out after the death of Alex Pretti. Credit / X First Lady Melania Trump has made the rare decision to speak out on…