Rodney Matthews (born 6 July 1945) is a British illustrator and conceptual designer of fantasy and science-fiction.

Rodney Matthews
Matthews in 2016
Born
Rodney Clive Matthews

(1945-07-06) 6 July 1945 (age 79)
Paulton, England
Known forPainting, drawing, conceptual design
MovementFantasy art, science fiction, surrealism
Websiterodneymatthewsstudios.com

Career

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Trained at the West of England College of Art, Matthews worked in advertising for Plastic Dog Graphics before turning freelance in 1970, initially under the name Skyline Studios.[1][2]

Matthews has painted over 140 subjects for record album covers, for many rock and progressive rock bands.[3] More than 90 of his pictures have been published worldwide, selling in poster format,[4] as well as many international editions of calendars, jigsaw puzzles, postcards, notecards, snowboards and T-shirts. His originals have been exhibited throughout the UK and Europe. He has been a regular exhibitor at the Chris Beetles Gallery,[5] in London's West End, where he met English comedian, actor, writer and producer John Cleese,[6] an avid collector of his work.

Matthews has illustrated numerous books, including those by English fantasy and science fiction author Michael Moorcock.[7][8] Their collaboration in the 1970s resulted in a series of 12 large posters, depicting scenes from Moorcock's Eternal Champion series. These images were also used for a 1978 calendar entitled "Wizardry and Wild Romance".[9]

In 1998, Matthews and the late Gerry Anderson completed Lavender Castle, a 26-episode stop-motion/C.G. television series for children.[10] It was produced at Cosgrove Hall Films in Manchester and purchased by ITV for the UK.[11] Matthews has also contributed concept designs for the 2005 film The Magic Roundabout.[12]

He supplied conceptual designs for computer games such as the Sony/Psygnosis game Shadow Master[13] and Haven: Call of the King, published by Midway.[14] Matthews has produced some publicity and a logo for the green energy company Ecotricity.[15]

He has also written lyrics and played drums on a music album influenced by his images; American guitarist Jeff Scheetz, John Payne (Asia) on bass guitar, Oliver Wakeman (Yes) on keyboards and Pete Coleman (composer and multi-instrumentalist).[16]

Album covers

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Album covers (including EPs, LPs and DVDs)[17]:

Books

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Anthologies:

  • 1985, Rodney Matthews & Nigel Suckling, In Search of Forever, Dragon's World (n.b. there is also a Japanese edition; there was also a UK book club edition, published by Guild).
  • 1989, Rodney Matthews & Nigel Suckling, Last Ship Home, Dragon's World.
  • 1990, Rodney Matthews & Nigel Suckling, Voyages Extrêmes, Vents d'Ouest (n.b. this is the French edition of Last Ship Home).
  • 1997, Rodney Matthews & Nigel Suckling, Countdown to Millennium, Collins & Brown.

Portfolios:

  • 1990, Rodney Matthews & Nigel Suckling, The Rodney Matthews Portfolio, Dragon's World.
  • 1993, Rodney Matthews & Pauline Fisk, The 2nd Rodney Matthews Portfolio, Dragon's World.
  • 1994, Rodney Matthews & Nigel Suckling, Rodney Matthews (Paper Tiger Miniatures), Paper Tiger.

Illustrated books:

  • 1974, The Blue Planet Series: Book 1: Blast Off!, Childs Play (International) Ltd.
  • 1974, The Blue Planet Series: Book 2: The Journey, Childs Play (International) Ltd.
  • 1974, The Blue Planet Series: Book 3: On the Planet, Childs Play (International) Ltd.
  • 1974, The Blue Planet Series: Book 4: Back to Earth, Childs Play (International) Ltd.
  • 1978, Rodney Matthews & Graham Smith, Yendor: The Journey of a Junior Adventurer, Big O Publishing.
  • 1980, Michael Moorcock, Stormbringer, United States: Archival Press.
  • 1986, Cheryl Evans & Anne Millard, Usborne Illustrated Guide to Norse Myths and Legends, Usborne.
  • 1987, Cheryl Evans & Anne Millard, Usborne Illustrated Guide to Greek Myths and Legends, Usborne.
  • 1987, Cheryl Evans & Anne Millard, The Usborne Book of Greek and Norse Legends, Usborne.
  • 1987, Michael Moorcock: A Collaboration with Rodney Matthews, Elric at the End of Time, Dragon's World.
  • 1994, Felicity Brooks, Tales of King Arthur, Usborne.
  • 1998, Felicity Brooks, Tales of King Arthur & His Knights, Usborne.
  • 1999, Doug King & Rodney Matthews, The Snugldorfs – Smile God Loves You! United States: Cepher.
  • 2008, Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland, Templar (foreword by John Cleese).
  • 2010, Rodney Matthews & Marco Palmer, The Fantastic Intergalactic Adventures of Stanley & Livingston, Rodney Matthews Studios.

Paperback covers:

Stephen R. Lawhead:

A. Merritt:

Michael Moorcock:

Andre Norton:

  • 1977, Spell of the Witch World, Wyndham/Universal.
  • 1977, Three Against the Witch World, Wyndham/Universal.
  • 1977, Web of the Witch World, Wyndham/Universal.
  • 1977, Witch World, Wyndham/Universal.
  • 1978, Sorceress of the Witch World, Wyndham/Universal.
  • 1978, The Year of the Unicorn, Wyndham/Universal.
  • 1978, Trey of Swords, Wyndham/Universal.
  • 1978, Warlock of the Witch World, Wyndham/Universal.

Clark Ashton Smith:

  • 1976, Other Dimensions: Volume 1, Panther/Granada (image: Venus Cruiser).
  • 1976, Other Dimensions: Volume 2, Panther/Granada (image: The Ghoul).

Others:

(Rodney Matthews' images have also been used on many international editions, particularly for Moorcock's German publishers.)

Magazine covers:

Vortex: The Science Fiction Fantasy:

  • Vol. 1 No. 1, January 1977: Vortex, 1976.
  • Vol. 1 No. 2, February 1977: Space Hijak, 1976.
  • Vol. 1 No. 3, March 1977: Out of an Amber Sky, 1976.
  • Commissioned, but unused: Metropolis Trap, 1977.
  • Commissioned, but unused: The Crab, 1977.

Imagine (published by T.S.R. Hobbies (UK) Ltd):

  • No. 1, April 1983: Elric and Moonglum, 1976.
  • No. 9, December 1983: Imagine, 1982.
  • No. 12, March 1984: The Guardian Awakes, 1982.
  • No. 22, January 1985: Earl Aubec of Malador, 1984.
  • Issue and date unknown: Araneida the Destroyer, 1983.
  • Sales leaflet cover: Who Disturbs the Tyrant?, 1983.

FAB – The Gerry Anderson Fan Magazine:

  • No. 32, 1998.
  • No. 36, 1998.

Others:

  • Software Communications Magazine, The Fury, 1988.
  • Skivor & Band, The Rainbow Room, 1993.
  • Classic Rock Trade Magazine, The Hop, 2003.

Bands and recordings

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Bands:

  • The Cheetahs
  • The Rhythm Cats
  • Pentworth's People
  • Barnaby Goode
  • Originn
  • Squidd

Recordings:

  • Pentworth's People: Demo on vinyl (2 tracks)
  • Squidd: Twice Upon a Time (3-track CD)
  • Frog Riders: Utterly Spontaneous – Jam Session (7-track CD)
  • Rudi Dobson & Rodney Matthews, featuring Tony Clarkin: The House on the Rock (3-track CD)
  • Jeff Scheetz, Rodney Matthews & Friends (John Payne, Oliver Wakeman, Bob Catley and Pete Coleman): I Saw Three Ships (1-track CD)
  • Rodney Matthews and Oliver Wakeman: In the Bleak Midwinter (3-track CD)
  • Rodney Matthews and Jeff Scheetz with Oliver Wakeman: Trinity (10-track CD and 13-track double vinyl)

References

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  1. ^ Read, Al; Brace, Terry (2003). The rock years 1969–1988. Bristol: Broadcast Books. p. 10. ISBN 9781874092827. OCLC 851743737.
  2. ^ "Matthews, Rodney". The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  3. ^ "Portfolio". Rodney Matthews Studios. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Rodney Matthews". Artists UK. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  5. ^ Berghammer, Billy. "Haven Artist Revealed". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  6. ^ "Rodney Matthews". Dutch Progressive Rock. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  7. ^ "Rodnet Matthews". John Guy Collick. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Rodney Matthews". Get Ready to Rock. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  9. ^ "Rodney Matthews: One of the world's top graphic designers talks about his Christian faith". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  10. ^ "Lavender Castle (1999)". Toon Hound. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  11. ^ "Lavender Castle". IMDb. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  12. ^ "Rodney Matthews". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  13. ^ "Shadow Master Review". Games Spot. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  14. ^ "Rodney Matthews Creates Artwork for Midway's Haven: Call of The King". Game Zone. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  15. ^ "Nu Jerusalem". Ecotricity. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  16. ^ "Rodney Matthews releases Christmas CD I Saw Three Ships and Exclusive Art". With Guitars. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  17. ^ "Portfolio". Rodney Matthews Studios. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
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