Rodney Matthews

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

Rodney Matthews
Rodney Matthews
Born
Rodney Clive Matthews

(1945-07-06) 6 July 1945
Paulton, England
NationalityBritish
Known forPainting, Drawing, Conceptual Design
MovementFantasy art, Science Fiction, Surrealism
Websitewww.rodneymatthewsstudios.com

Career

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 130 subjects for record album covers, for many rock and progressive rock bands. More than 90 of his pictures have been published worldwide, selling in poster format,[3] 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 was a regular exhibitor at the Chris Beetles Gallery,[4] in London's West End, where he met English comedian, actor, writer and producer John Cleese.[5]

Matthews has illustrated numerous books, including those by English fantasy and science fiction author Michael Moorcock.[6][7] 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’.[8]

In 1998, Matthews and the late Gerry Anderson completed Lavender Castle, a children's animation series.[9] It was produced at Cosgrove Hall Films in Manchester, England and purchased by ITV for the UK.[10] Matthews has also contributed concept designs for the 2005 movie 'The Magic Roundabout'.[11]

He supplied conceptual designs for computer games such as the Sony/Psygnosis game Shadow Master[12] and Haven: Call of the King, published by Midway.[13] Matthews has produced some publicity and a logo for the UK’s pioneering green energy company Ecotricity.[14]

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).[15]

Album covers

Album covers (including EPs, LPs and DVDs):

Books

Anthologies:

  • 1985, Rodney Matthews & Nigel Suckling, In Search of Forever, Dragon’s World (n.b. there is also a Japanese edition).
  • 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

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
  1. 1909–1987., Read, Al (2003). The rock years 1969–1988. Brace, Terry. Bristol: Broadcast Books. p. 10. ISBN 9781874092827. OCLC 851743737.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. "Matthews, Rodney". The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  3. "Rodney Matthews". Artists UK. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  4. Berghammer, Billy. "Haven Artist Revealed". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  5. "Rodney Matthews". Dutch Progressive Rock. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  6. "Rodnet Matthews". John Guy Collick. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  7. "Rodney Matthews". Get Ready to Rock. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  8. "Rodney Matthews: One of the world's top graphic designers talks about his Christian faith". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  9. "Gerry Anderson's Lavender Castle (1998)". Toon Hound. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  10. "Lavender Castle". IMDB. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  11. "Rodney Matthews". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  12. "Shadow Master Review". Games Spot. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  13. "Rodney Matthews Creates Artwork for Midway's Haven: Call of The King". Game Zone. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  14. "Nu Jerusalem". Ecotricity. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  15. "Rodney Matthews releases Christmas CD I Saw Three Ships and Exclusive Art". With Guitars. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
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