Lad, 13, who kept being told off for doodling in class ended up with a Nike deal

Lad, 13, who kept being told off for doodling in class ended up with a Nike deal

By Alifereti Sakiasi
Tuesday 03/10/2023
[Photo: LAD Bible]

It seems like doodling in class is just simply a right of passage when it comes to passing the time in a boring classroom at school.

However, while many of our scribbles of those graffiti 'universal s' symbols or, more commonly, very intricate penis drawings, one lad's doodles wound up securing him a mammoth deal with Nike for a digital campaign to encourage children’s creativity.

Joe Whale, 13, who is better known on social media as 'Doodle Boy', was often told off in school for doodling but it seems he's been able to turn his passion with a pen into a full-on job.

After being frequently lectured in class for the free-hand artwork, Joe later gained attention for his illustrations through Instagram, where he now boasts more than 166k followers.

In a bizarre turn of events, Joe, who hails from Shrewsbury, went on to collaborate with one of the world's biggest sport attire brands.

DOODLE-1

His agency, Loveblood Creative, confirmed the partnership in a written statement released last year.

It read: "We are so very excited to confirm that Joe is now part of the Nike Family.

"It really is a unique relationship that puts Joe’s talent and love of sport together to inspire others to have fun and do what they love."

Joe's father, Gregory Whale, revealed to CNN at the time: "Joe is really excited to join the Nike Family, he absolutely loves the brand.

"It is a dream come true for him as he loves both sport and creativity and partnering with Nike will give him the opportunity to embrace both."

DOODLE-2

On the official Doodle Boy website, Joe explains: "I have been drawing and painting since the age of three and art has been a huge part of my life - I would draw, paint and do crafts at every opportunity and that hasn't changed to this day."

He also told fans that his 'favourite characters to draw are food, monsters and aliens'.

However, he noted: "I pretty much create doodles from anything as I get inspired by my surroundings and create characters from all of the things I see such as my burger and fries characters, flowers, vegetables, cakes - yum -, clouds, etc."

And, according to Joe, there is just 'one rule' he religiously follows when it comes to his doodles.

"There is no right or wrong in art just interpretation," he revealed, "and this means when I create I am completely free to express."

Who knows what's next to come for the child prodigy?

Source: LAD BIBLE 

FEATURE NEWS
Ro Filipe orders investigation into tragic death of Year 9 student in Tavua
Following the tragic death of Year 9 student, Eliki Delai, in an accident in Davota, Tavua, Minister for Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau has directed the...
46 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Dan Fong travels from Vunidogoloa Village to Suva to support son in Suva Zone 1
The quote “The greatest gift a parent can give their children is love and support” rings true for 38-year-old Dan Fong from Vunidogoloa Village ...
1 hour ago

Firefighters better equipped with first-ever Port Rescue Fire Truck
Firefighters will now be better equipped to protect lives and properties and also respond to fires and emergencies quickly after the commissioning of ...
2 hours ago

ODPP opens new office in Nasinu to improve service delivery
In an effort to improve access to justice and ensure a more streamlined process for the people in the community, the Office of the Director of Public ...
2 hours ago

195 cases of online abuse recorded in 2024
195 cases of image-based abuse were recorded in 2024, and the Online Safety Commissioner, Filipe Batiwale, is urging victims to come forward and ...
2 hours ago

Fiji and Japan to continue strengthening capacity building
Fiji and Japan have enjoyed a good bilateral relationship over the past years in terms of capacity building and Japan will continue to support Fiji ...
5 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Reverend Tugi on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Watch the General Secretary of Fiji Evangelical Fellowship, Reverend Simione Tugi on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
28 days ago

fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan and William Parkinson
Chairman of Communications Fiji Limited, parent company of FM96, LegendFM, VitiFM, Navtarang, Radio Sargam, fijivillage and PNGFM, William Parkinson ...
29 days ago

fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan and Adi Tulia Nacola
The candid interview focuses on Nacola, coming from a chiefly family and being a daughter of a Minister who was ousted in the 1987 military coup, her ...
29 days ago

TOP