Jamie Lee Matthias, an accountant from Stoke-on-Trent, has unexpectedly become an internet sensation thanks to his unique artistic talent—creating what he describes as “terrible” paintings. Just six months into his painting journey, Matthias has been inundated with requests for his quirky, hilariously imperfect works.
It all began in may when Matthias gifted his then-fiancée a handmade poster-paint canvas depicting teh couple on their wedding day.The piece, though crudely drawn, was an instant hit among their wedding guests. “It went down a storm,” Matthias told BBC radio Stoke. “It’s absolutely horrendous. As you can see,it looks nothing [like my wife]. I actually look a little bit like me. So from then, we decided that it’d be good to stitch them on the internet and see if people bought it.”
When matthias shared his paintings on social media, the response was overwhelming. “As you’ve seen, from then, in the last week, it’s gone absolutely mental,” he said. To date, he has received 73 commissions, with orders pouring in from across England, Scotland, Wales, and even Northern Ireland. “We’ve got orders all over the country,” he noted, adding, “It seems to be getting a lot of noise on social media. We’ve just over 1,800 followers.”
Matthias’s wife, Kate, has been equally thrilled by the unexpected turn of events. “It has been the craziest, insane week ever. We’ve laughed so much. It’s been a week full of joy,” she said. “It’s been a great start to the new year, and I can’t wait to see what he creates next.”
Despite the critical eye of some—including his 11-year-old stepdaughter Heidi, who bluntly remarked, “It’s terrible.I wouldn’t buy it”—Matthias remains undeterred. “they’re not my target audience,” he quipped.For him, the joy lies in the laughter his paintings bring. “It’s bringing a smile to people’s faces,” he said.“I’m having so much fun painting these because when I’m looking at the picture and then what I’ve done, it looks nothing like it, but it’s hilarious, and the people seem to have really bought into it.”
Matthias’s artistic process, as he explained to the Metro, is as unconventional as his work. “I actually don’t mean to paint badly, and I’m doing my best to recreate the photos I get sent, but it’s just the way they turn out,” he said.“I try and create an alternate universe where proportions have no meaning. I’ve painted for years, but I had no idea they were so bad until people started telling me.”
With a waiting list of three to five weeks, Matthias is embracing the chaos and humor of his newfound career. “I’ll keep forgetting to paint someone’s nose and have to keep mixing paint and add it later.it adds to the comedy value,” he joked. “This is my standard, there’s no risk of it getting better.I am absolutely not an art teacher. I think everyone seems to appreciate them in some way. They are terrible, but kate just said it’s so much fun, she appreciates it.”
What started as a lighthearted wedding gift has turned into a phenomenon that’s spreading joy across the UK. Matthias’s “terrible” paintings are a reminder that art doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful—sometimes, it’s the imperfections that make it unforgettable.
How did Jamie Lee Matthias’ initial foray into painting begin?
Interviewer: Good afternoon, and welcome to Archyde Today. I’m thrilled to be joined by Jamie Lee Matthias,the accountant-turned-artist from Stoke-on-Trent who has captured the internet’s attention wiht his hilariously imperfect paintings. Jamie, thank you for joining us.
Jamie Lee Matthias: Thanks for having me! It’s been quite the whirlwind, and I’m still getting used to all the attention.
Interviewer: Let’s start at the beginning. You’re an accountant by trade—what inspired you to pick up a paintbrush?
Jamie Lee Matthias: It was actually quite spontaneous. Back in May, my wife—well, she was my fiancée at the time—had been hinting at wanting something personal and handmade for our wedding. I’m not exactly the crafty type, but I thought, “Why not give painting a try?” Little did I know, it would turn into this!
Interviewer: And what was her reaction to the painting you created?
Jamie Lee Matthias: [Laughs] She burst out laughing as soon as she saw it. I painted us on our wedding day, but let’s just say my artistry left a lot to be desired. The proportions were all wrong, the colors were… questionable, and my attempt at painting her bouquet turned out looking more like a blob. But she loved it as it was so me.
Interviewer: And then you posted it online, right?
Jamie Lee Matthias: Yes, I shared it on social media as a bit of a joke.I thought maybe a few friends would get a chuckle out of it. But it went viral overnight. people started commenting things like,“This is the best worst painting I’ve ever seen!” and “I need one of these!” That’s when I realized I might be onto something.
Interviewer: And now you’ve turned this into a business. How does it feel to be an accidental artist?
Jamie Lee Matthias: It’s surreal, honestly. I never thought I’d be someone who could call themselves an artist, let alone make a living from it. But it’s been so much fun. People seem to connect with the humor and authenticity of my work. Plus, it’s a great creative outlet from my day job as an accountant.
Interviewer: Your paintings are intentionally imperfect—what’s your creative process like?
Jamie Lee Matthias: It’s all about embracing the mistakes. I don’t sketch or plan anything out—I just start painting and see were it takes me.Sometimes I’ll try to fix a mistake, but that usually makes it worse, and that’s where the charm comes in. I’ve learned to let go of perfection and just enjoy the process.
Interviewer: You’ve been inundated with requests for your work. What kind of commissions are you taking on?
Jamie Lee Matthias: It’s been a mix! I’ve painted everything from pets and family portraits to bizarre scenes like someone’s cat riding a unicycle.People seem to love the idea of having a one-of-a-kind, quirky piece of art in their homes. It’s been humbling to see how much joy my paintings bring to others.
Interviewer: Do you ever worry about being labeled as a “bad” artist?
Jamie Lee Matthias: Not really. I’ve always been upfront about the fact that my paintings aren’t technically skilled—it’s part of their appeal. I think ther’s beauty in imperfection, and my work celebrates that.Plus, it’s a reminder to not take life too seriously.
Interviewer: What’s next for Jamie Lee Matthias? Do you see yourself continuing to paint alongside your accounting career?
Jamie Lee Matthias: I’d love to keep doing both. painting has become such a fulfilling part of my life, but I also enjoy the stability and routine of accounting. For now, I’m just going with the flow and seeing where this journey takes me.
Interviewer: Well, Jamie, thank you for sharing your story with us. It’s been inspiring to see how embracing imperfection has led to such success. We’ll be eagerly watching to see what you create next.
Jamie Lee Matthias: Thank you so much! it’s been a pleasure.
Interviewer: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. Don’t forget to check out Jamie’s work—and remember, sometimes the best things in life aren’t perfect. Until next time, this is Archyde Today, signing off.
