From School Doodles to Nike Campaign: Meet Joe Whale, the 13-Year-Old Artist

Shrewsbury (The Uttam Hindu): Doodling in class has long been a common pastime for students looking to pass the time during boring lessons. While many of us have doodled basic symbols or humorous sketches, one young artist's classroom doodles have turned into a major career opportunity with a global brand. Joe Whale, a 13-year-old from Shrewsbury, known online as 'Doodle Boy,' was often scolded in school for his free-hand drawings. However, his passion for doodling eventually led him to gain a large following on Instagram, where he now has over 166,000 followers. His talent caught the attention of Nike, leading to a collaboration for a digital campaign aimed at encouraging children's creativity.

Joe’s agency, Loveblood Creative, confirmed the partnership with Nike, stating that it was a unique collaboration combining Joe’s love of art and sport. Nike’s involvement is especially meaningful for Joe, as he has always been a fan of the brand.

Joe’s father, Gregory Whale, expressed his excitement in a CNN interview, calling it a dream come true for his son. Joe, who has been drawing since he was three, shares his creative journey on his official website. He often draws characters inspired by food, monsters, and aliens, and emphasizes that in art, there is no right or wrong—just personal expression.