Jamie Matthias, a 41-year-old accountant from Alsager, Staffordshire, has stumbled into a lucrative and unexpected side hustle: creating “terrible” portraits. It all began as a joke, a self-deprecating gesture for his wedding day. Matthias, a hobbyist painter since childhood, offered to paint a portrait of his wife, Kate, fully aware of his unconventional and less-than-polished style. The resulting artwork, unveiled during his wedding speech, garnered uproarious laughter and unexpected acclaim. Kate, recognizing the comedic gold, shared the portrait on social media, where it quickly went viral, attracting thousands of views and comments.
The unexpected online popularity sparked a deluge of requests from people eager to have their own photos immortalized in Matthias’s distinctively “terrible” style. What started as a humorous wedding gift has transformed into a thriving small business, with Matthias juggling his painting commissions alongside his full-time accounting job. He spends approximately two hours each evening fulfilling orders, charging a modest £25 per acrylic on canvas, including postage. The family’s shared love of painting has become a regular activity, with Matthias and Kate often engaging in painting sessions with their three children.
Matthias’s artistic approach, while appearing amateurish, is deliberate. He doesn’t intentionally strive for poor quality; rather, his paintings are a product of his unique, unchanging style, developed since childhood. He describes his process as creating an alternate universe where proportions are fluid and unconventional. He aims to recreate the photos he’s sent, but the results consistently deviate into his signature “terrible” aesthetic. He readily admits to frequent oversights, like forgetting to paint noses, necessitating later additions, which he believes adds to the overall comedic effect.
The popularity of Matthias’s work is a testament to the widespread appreciation for his quirky style and the lightheartedness it brings. He has received orders from across the UK, garnering nearly 2,000 followers on his social media accounts, aptly named “Terrible Art by Jamie Lee.” Comments online reflect the delight his paintings evoke, with users expressing desires to own their own “terrible” portraits and praising Matthias’s genius idea. The positive response has been overwhelming, and Matthias relishes the humor and enjoyment his art generates.
Matthias’s story intersects with a broader trend of side hustles gaining popularity as a supplementary income source. Research indicates a significant number of Britons are engaging in side hustles, particularly among younger generations. While less common among older demographics, the appeal of extra income streams persists across various age groups. Matthias’s experience exemplifies how a seemingly unconventional hobby can blossom into a profitable venture, especially in the age of social media virality.
For Matthias, the financial gains are secondary to the joy and laughter his art elicits. He and his family embrace the humorous nature of his work, with Kate playfully acknowledging his painting “inability” as a source of constant amusement. He views his skill level as firmly established, with no aspirations for improvement, humorously stating that there’s “no risk of it getting better.” He underscores the family-oriented nature of his venture, noting that it’s a shared passion rather than a serious artistic pursuit. He contrasts his current enjoyment with his past dislike for art in school, further emphasizing the organic and spontaneous evolution of his unique talent. Matthias’s story is a heartwarming example of how embracing one’s unique abilities, even those perceived as unconventional, can lead to unexpected success and widespread appreciation. His “terrible” art has not only brought financial rewards but, more importantly, has become a source of laughter and connection for himself, his family, and a growing community of admirers.
