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Rodney Matthews

{{short description|British artist}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}

{{Use British English|date=July 2012}}

{{ Infobox artist

| name = Rodney Matthews

| image = Rodney Matthews.jpg

| imagesize =

| alt =

| caption = Matthews in 2016

| birth_name = Rodney Clive Matthews

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1945|7|6|df=y}}

| birth_place = Paulton, England

| field = Painting, drawing, conceptual design

| training =

| movement = Fantasy art, science fiction, surrealism

| works =

| patrons =

| influenced by =

| influenced =

| awards =

| website = {{URL|rodneymatthewsstudios.com}}

}}

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

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.{{Cite book|title=The rock years 1969–1988|last1=Read|first1=Al|date=2003|publisher=Broadcast Books|last2=Brace|first2=Terry|isbn=9781874092827|location=Bristol|pages=10|oclc=851743737}}{{cite web |title=Matthews, Rodney |url=http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/matthews_rodney |publisher=The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction |accessdate=29 October 2015}}

Matthews has painted over 140 subjects for record album covers, for many rock and progressive rock bands.{{Cite web|title=Portfolio|url=https://www.rodneymatthewsstudios.com/pages/portfolio-of-work|access-date=2021-10-11|website=Rodney Matthews Studios|language=en}} More than 90 of his pictures have been published worldwide, selling in poster format,{{cite web |title=Rodney Matthews |url=https://www.artistsuk.co.uk/acatalog/RODNEY_MATTHEWS_PRINTS_AND_POSTERS.html |publisher=Artists UK |accessdate=29 October 2015}} 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,{{cite web |last1=Berghammer |first1=Billy |title=Haven Artist Revealed |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/7932/haven-artist-revealed |publisher=Nintendo World Report |accessdate=29 October 2015}} in London's West End, where he met English comedian, actor, writer and producer John Cleese,{{cite web |title=Rodney Matthews |url=http://www.dprp.net/specials/2010_matthews/ |publisher=Dutch Progressive Rock |accessdate=29 October 2015}} an avid collector of his work.

Matthews has illustrated numerous books, including those by English fantasy and science fiction author Michael Moorcock.{{cite web |title=Rodnet Matthews |date=10 April 2012 |url=http://johnguycollick.com/rodney-matthews/ |publisher=John Guy Collick |accessdate=29 October 2015}}{{cite web |title=Rodney Matthews |url=http://www.getreadytorock.com/features/rodney_matthews.htm |publisher=Get Ready to Rock |accessdate=29 October 2015}} 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".{{cite web |title=Rodney Matthews: One of the world's top graphic designers talks about his Christian faith |url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Rodney_Matthews_One_of_the_worlds_top_graphic_designers_talks_about_his_Christian_faith/36439/p1/ |publisher=Cross Rhythms |accessdate=29 October 2015}}

In 1998, Matthews and the late Gerry Anderson completed Lavender Castle, a 26-episode stop-motion/C.G. television series for children.{{cite web |title=Lavender Castle (1999) |url=http://www.toonhound.com/lavendercastle.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000929101034/http://www.toonhound.com/lavendercastle.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 September 2000 |publisher=Toon Hound |accessdate=29 October 2015}} It was produced at Cosgrove Hall Films in Manchester and purchased by ITV for the UK.{{cite web |title=Lavender Castle |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0185084/?ref_=tt_ov_inf |publisher=IMDb |accessdate=29 October 2015}} Matthews has also contributed concept designs for the 2005 film The Magic Roundabout.{{cite web |title=Rodney Matthews |url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2bc1d93d10 |archive-url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140812004403/https://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2bc1d93d10 |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 August 2014 |publisher=British Film Institute |accessdate=29 October 2015}}

He supplied conceptual designs for computer games such as the Sony/Psygnosis game Shadow Master{{cite web |title=Shadow Master Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/shadow-master-review/1900-2532970/ |publisher=Games Spot |accessdate=29 October 2015}} and Haven: Call of the King, published by Midway.{{cite web |title=Rodney Matthews Creates Artwork for Midway's Haven: Call of The King |date=4 May 2012 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/rodney_matthews_creates_artwork_for_midway_s_haven_call_of_the_king |publisher=Game Zone |accessdate=29 October 2015}} Matthews has produced some publicity and a logo for the green energy company Ecotricity.{{cite web |title=Nu Jerusalem |url=https://www.ecotricity.co.uk/news/news-archive/2012/nu-jerusalem |publisher=Ecotricity |accessdate=29 October 2015}}

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).{{cite web |title=Rodney Matthews releases Christmas CD I Saw Three Ships and Exclusive Art |url=http://www.withguitars.com/rodney-matthews-releases-christmas-cd-i-saw-three-ships-and-exclusive-art/ |publisher=With Guitars |accessdate=29 October 2015}}

Album covers

{{BLP sources section|date=March 2021}}

Album covers (including EPs, LPs and DVDs){{Cite web|title=Portfolio|url=https://www.rodneymatthewsstudios.com/pages/portfolio-of-work|access-date=2021-10-11|website=Rodney Matthews Studios|language=en}}:

Books

{{BLP sources section|date=March 2021}}

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

{{BLP sources section|date=March 2021}}

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

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{Official website|http://www.rodneymatthewsstudios.com}}
  • {{ISFDB name|id=Rodney_Matthews}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Matthews, Rodney}}

Category:1945 births

Category:British album-cover and concert-poster artists

Category:Artists from Somerset

Category:English illustrators

Category:British fantasy artists

Category:Living people

Category:People from Paulton

Category:British science fiction artists

Category:British surrealist artists

Category:Tolkien artists