{"id":594450,"date":"2026-04-19T22:21:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T22:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/594450\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T22:21:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T22:21:10","slug":"update-dads-terrible-paintings-hilariously-earn-thousands-in-commissions-with-430-requests-last-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/594450\/","title":{"rendered":"Update\u2013Dad\u2019s \u2018Terrible\u2019 Paintings Hilariously Earn Thousands in Commissions With 430 Requests Last Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Jamie Matthias with family portrait \u2013 via SWNS<\/p>\n

In an update from a GNN story<\/a> 15 months ago, this \u2018hilariously bad\u2019 artist has raked in thousands from his \u2018dad paintings\u2019, after receiving more than 430 commissions from around the world.<\/p>\n

The 42-year-old began the unusual side hustle accidentally, giving a gag gift to his wife, Kate, in 2024. She posted the funny artwork on social media and it racked up thousands of views and comments.<\/p>\n

Jamie Lee Matthias has since been inundated with requests from people desperate for him to create funny versions of their own family photographs.<\/p>\n

The dad-of-three, now juggles his art business\u2014under the name @TerribleArtByJamieLee\u2014alongside his full-time managerial job. See all his creations<\/a> on Instagram.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost people respond with joy and laughter [to my paintings] which is why it\u2019s been so fun, because they absolutely get it,\u201d said the jokester from Cheshire, England.<\/p>\n

One painting generally takes 45 minutes to an hour to finish depending on the amount of people featured. Last January, Jamie received 130 orders and was painting for at least five hours a day.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t expect it to become a big part of my life, but sometimes I spend more time painting than I do at my actual full-time job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Jamie Matthias painting from family photograph \u2013 via SWNS<\/p>\n

He says he\u2019s received requests from 12 countries, including the US, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. In fact, he estimates that 35% of his commissions have come from Taiwan.<\/p>\n

His paintings often start at \u00a345 ($60), with some selling for a few hundred.<\/p>\n

With the added income he has been able to afford a whole new garden for his house as well as a family holiday to Turkey last year.<\/p>\n

But despite the success, there is always constructive criticism to be found around the house as both Jamie and wife, Kate\u2019s children are on hand to call his work \u201cterrible\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy kids say the paintings are terrible. You know what kids are like, they speak the truth. But deep down I know they love it. It\u2019s colorful and fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jamie says his funniest order was one where he was asked to combine two photos: one of a nice country field and the other of a dog \u201cdoing its business\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"\"hilariously bad portrait w Grommet by Jamie Lee Matthias -SWNS square
\nHis advice: Just pick up a brush<\/p>\n

The folk art painter is now even teaching art workshops locally.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the participants were turning up for a proper guided painting session, but everybody completely embraced it.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u2013 SWNS<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was really good fun and, with the exception of mine, there were some really good paintings at the end of the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also brought his painting passion to school\u2014giving demonstrations for his step-daughter\u2019s class.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of them actually thought it was quite good, but you know, they were 10-and-11-year-olds so it\u2019s probably that sort of level isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jamie recently painted actress Judi Dench, who is an avid artist herself, donating the portrait to be auctioned off to support the Sobell House Hospice.<\/p>\n

Dame Dench, who has also provided a painting for the charity, signed Jamie\u2019s artwork, and it is set to be auctioned later this year.<\/p>\n

AMAZING ART LUCK:\u00a0The Painting Paid for Grilled Cheese Sandwiches 50 Years Ago \u2013\u00a0Now Earns the Restaurant Thousands<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cTo have someone like Judi Dench look at my piece of artwork and agree to sign it is just absolutely insane really.\u201d<\/p>\n

CHEER ON YOUR PAINTING PALS By Sharing This on Social Media\u2026<\/p>\n