January 16th 2025.
Jamie Matthias, a 41-year-old accountant, was taken aback by the overwhelming response to his not-so-great paintings. What started as a simple wedding gift for his wife turned into a booming side hustle, with people from all over the world requesting his unique artwork.
It all began by chance when Jamie's wife, Kate, found his portrait of her to be hilarious and shared it on social media. Before they knew it, the post was gaining traction with comments, likes, and shares pouring in. Soon enough, people were asking for their own funny versions, and Jamie found himself juggling his accounting job with his newfound passion for painting.
The father of three from Alsager, Staffordshire, never intended to paint poorly, but somehow, that's just how they turned out. He describes his style as an "alternate universe" where proportions don't matter. Although he has been painting for years, it wasn't until people started pointing out how bad they were that he realized his unique ability.
The idea for the wedding portrait came about when Kate made a comment about Jamie's questionable painting skills. He jokingly offered to paint one for their special day, and it was a hit during his wedding speech. Little did they know that it would lead to such unexpected success.
Jamie is amazed by the online reception his paintings have received. They have received orders from all over the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and even Northern Ireland. With 71 orders and counting since posting on January 2nd, it's safe to say that his art has gained quite the following.
He credits his wife and her bridesmaid, also named Kate, for helping with the business side of things. Kate takes care of the financial distribution, and her bridesmaid handles marketing. Their social media presence has grown to over 1,800 followers, and the word continues to spread.
Despite the increasing demand for his art, Jamie wants to ensure that each piece is given the time and attention it deserves. There is currently a three to five-week waiting list, but his customers are understanding and patient. Jamie admits that he sometimes forgets to paint someone's nose or has to mix paint to add it later, but he sees it as adding to the comedy value.
He wants to make it clear that this is his standard, and there's no risk of his paintings getting better. Jamie has no intention of becoming an art teacher, and he believes that people appreciate his work in their own way. Despite their lack of artistic merit, his wife loves them, and that's all that matters to him.
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