Rodney Matthews
Rodney Matthews | |
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![]() Matthews in 2016 | |
Born | Rodney Clive Matthews (1945-07-06) 6 July 1945 (age 79) Paulton, England |
Known for | Painting, drawing, conceptual design |
Movement | Fantasy art, science fiction, surrealism |
Website | rodneymatthewsstudios |
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.[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
Album covers (including EPs, LPs and DVDs)[17]:
- 1965, Pentworth's People, demo cover
- 1971, Thin Lizzy, New Day (EP)
- 1971, Fred Wedlock, The Folker
- 1971, Ian A. Anderson, A Vulture Is Not a Bird You Can Trust
- 1971, Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra, Piggery Jokery
- 1971, Various artists, The Great White Dap (EP)
- 1972, Amon Düül II, Live in London
- 1972, Dave Evans, Elephantasia
- 1972, Hillbilly Jazz, Vol. 1
- 1972, Hillbilly Jazz, Vol. 2
- 1972, Hunt & Turner, Magic Landscape
- 1972, Ian A. Anderson, Singer Sleeps on as Blaze Rages
- 1972, Various artists (feat. Little Richard, Sam Cooke and more), This Is How It All Began
- 1973, Al Jones, Jonesville
- 1973, Art Rosenbaum, Five String Banjo
- 1973, Bola Sete, Ocean
- 1973, Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters, Ejection (EP)
- 1973, Dave Carlsen (feat. Noel Redding, Keith Moon & Spencer Davis), Pale Horse
- 1973, David Stone & Allan Schiller, Delius
- 1973, Fred Wedlock, Frollicks
- 1973, Hamish Imlach, All Round Entertainer
- 1973, Stefan Grossman, Aunt Molly's Murray Farm
- 1973, Stefan Grossman, Contemporary Ragtime Guitar
- 1973, The Dartington String Quartet, Shostakovich
- 1974, Brinsley Schwarz, Golden Greats
- 1974, Geoffrey Woodruff, Live (6" LP)
- 1974, Old Pete, Old Pete (6" LP)
- 1974, Old Pete, Old Pete's Christmas Story (6" LP)
- 1974, Various artists, Some People Play Guitar Like a Lotta People Don't!
- 1975, Halfbreed, Halfbreed
- 1976, 20th Century Steel Band, Yellow Bird Is Dead
- 1977, Bo Hansson, Music Inspired by Lord of the Rings
- 1979, Nazareth, May The Sun Shine (single)
- 1979, Nazareth, No Mean City
- 1980, Magnum, Chase the Dragon
- 1980, Praying Mantis, Praying Mantis (single)
- 1980, Praying Mantis, Time Tells No Lies
- 1981, Praying Mantis, Cheated (EP)
- 1981, Tygers of Pan Tang, Crazy Nights
- 1982, Bitches Sin, Predator
- 1982, Diamond Head, Borrowed Time
- 1982, Eloy, Planets
- 1982, Eloy, Time to Turn
- 1982, Scorpions, Lonesome Crow
- 1983, Magnum, The Eleventh Hour
- 1984, Eloy, Metromania
- 1984, Tigermoth, Tigermoth
- 1985, Magnum, On a Storyteller's Night
- 1986, Motherlode, The Sanctuary
- 1987, Diamond Head, Am I Evil
- 1987, Magnum, Mirador
- 1988, Magnum, Kingdom of Madness
- 1988, Magnum, Magnum II
- 1988, Tigermoth, Howling Moth
- 1989, Full Moon, Full Moon
- 1989, Magnum, Foundation
- 1990, Detritus, Perpetual Defiance
- 1990, Seventh Angel, The Torment
- 1991, Praying Mantis, Predator in Disguise
- 1991, Rick Wakeman, 2000 A.D. Into the Future
- 1991, Seventh Angel, Lament for the Weary
- 1991, White Metal Warriors, Last Ship Home
- 1992, Asia, Aqua
- 1992, Asia, Who Will Stop the Rain? (single)
- 1992, Magnum, Only in America (single)
- 1992, Magnum, Sleepwalking
- 1992, Rudi Dobson & Rodney Matthews, The House on the Rock
- 1992, Veni Domine, Fall Babylon Fall
- 1993, Barclay James Harvest, Caught in the Light
- 1993, Gethsemane Rose, Tattered 'N' Torn
- 1993, Magnum, Archive
- 1993, Magnum, Keeping the Nite Light Burning
- 1993, Stairway, No Rest: No Mercy
- 1994, Rodd & Marco, Jurassic Church
- 1994, Veni Domine, Material Sanctuary
- 1995, Asia, Arena
- 1995, Rick Wakeman, The New Gospels
- 1995, Tradia, Welcome to Paradise
- 1996, Asia, Archiva Vol. 1
- 1996, Asia, Archiva Vol. 2
- 1996, Crucifer, Hellbound Angel
- 1997, Magnum, Stronghold
- 1999, Oliver Wakeman & Clive Nolan, Jabberwocky
- 2000, Doug King, The Snugldorfs
- 2003, Asia, Different Worlds Live
- 2003, Asia, Live in Moscow (DVD)
- 2003, Barclay James Harvest, 25th Anniversary Concert (DVD)
- 2003, Hawkwind, Welcome to the Future (2CD/DVD Box)
- 2003, Magnum, A Winter's Tale (DVD)
- 2003, Squidd, Twice Upon a Time (3 Track CD)
- 2003, Steve Hackett, Horizons (DVD)
- 2003, Uriah Heep, Live in the USA (DVD)
- 2003, Various artists (feat. Fairport Convention, Lindisfarne, The Strawbs and more), Folk Rock Anthology (DVD)
- 2003, Various artists (feat. Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Saxon and more), Hard Rock Anthology (DVD)
- 2003, Various artists (feat. Keith Emerson, Jon Lord, Rick Wakeman and more), Keyboard Wizards (DVD)
- 2003, Various artists (feat. Lynard Skynyrd, Free, Asia, Magnum and more), Rock Anthems (DVD)
- 2003, Various artists (feat. Mick Box, Steve Howe, Jan Akkerman, Toni Iommi and more), The Guitar Wizards: Presented By Mick Box (DVD)
- 2003, Various artists (feat. Uriah Heep, Asia, Nektar and more), The International Classic Rock Festival (DVD)
- 2003, Various artists (feat. Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Focus, Rick Wakeman and more), The Progressive Rock Anthology (DVD)
- 2003, Various artists (feat. Caravan, Curved Air, Family and more), The Underground Anthology (DVD)
- 2004, John Lawton Band, Shakin' the Tale (CD/DVD)
- 2004, Uriah Heep, Magic Night (CD/DVD)
- 2005, Russell Allen & Jørn Lande, The Battle
- 2006, Nazareth, The Very Best of Nazareth
- 2007, Magnum, Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow
- 2007, Russell Allen & Jørn Lande, The Revenge
- 2007, Stormzone, Caught in the Act
- 2008, Bob Catley, Immortal
- 2008, Hawkwind, Out of the Shadows (CD/DVD)
- 2008, Jeff Scheetz, Behind the Mask
- 2008, Magnum, Wings of Heaven Live
- 2008, V-Rats, Intelligent Design
- 2009, Magnum, Into the Valley of the Moon King
- 2009, Roxxcalibur, NWOBHM For Muthas
- 2010, Magnum, The Gathering
- 2010, Russell Allen & Jørn Lande, The Showdown
- 2010, Stairway, Interregnum
- 2011, Atkins May Project, Serpent's Kiss
- 2011, Magnum, The Visitation
- 2011, Roxxcalibur, Lords of the NWOBHM
- 2012, Atkins May Project, Valley of Shadows
- 2012, Frog Riders, Utterly Spontaneous
- 2012, Geoff Whitely Project, Confidential Whispers
- 2012, Magnum, On the 13th Day
- 2012, Tygers of Pan Tang, Ambush
- 2013, Avantasia, The Mystery of Time
- 2013, Geoff Whitely Project, Yetoto
- 2014, Atkins May Project, Empire of Destruction
- 2014, Jeff Scheetz, Rodney Matthews & Friends (John Payne, Oliver Wakeman, Bob Catley & Pete Coleman), I Saw Three Ships (Single)
- 2014, Magnum, Escape from the Shadow Garden
- 2014, Rick Wakeman, Fields of Green
- 2015, Nazareth, No Means of Escape
- 2015, Praying Mantis, Legacy
- 2015, Starquake, Times That Matter
- 2016, Magnum, Sacred Blood "Divine" Lies
- 2016, Seeing Red, Keep the Fire Burning
- 2016, The Rolling Stones, Another Time, Another Place
- 2017, The Rolling Stones, Time on Our Side
- 2017, The Rolling Stones, Painted Black
- 2018, Magnum, Lost on the Road to Eternity
- 2018, The Dukes of the Orient, The Dukes of the Orient
- 2018, Praying Mantis, Gravity
- 2020, Ellesmere, Wyrd
- 2021, Blind Golem, A Dream of Fantasy
- 2023, Magnum, Here Comes the Rain
Books
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:
- 1990, The Paradise War, Lion Books.
- 1991, The Silver Hand, Lion Books.
- 1992, The Endless Knot, Lion Books.
- 1977, The Face in the Abyss, New York: Avon Books.
- 1977, The Moon Pool, New York: Avon Books.
- 1976, Legends From the End of Time, W. H. Allen (image: Mongrove).
- 1976, The End of All Songs, Granada/Mayflower (image: Lord Jagged of Canaria).
- 1976, The Transformation of Miss Mavis Ming, W. H. Allen (image: The Return of the Fireclown).
- 1979, The Bull & The Spear, Granada (image: The Hound Master of Kerenos).
- 1979, The Knight of the Swords, Granada (image: In the Flamelands).
- 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.
- 1976, Other Dimensions: Volume 1, Panther/Granada (image: Venus Cruiser).
- 1976, Other Dimensions: Volume 2, Panther/Granada (image: The Ghoul).
Others:
- 1977, Michael Moorcock (Editor), England Invaded: A Collection of Fantasy Fiction, W. H. Allen (image: The Monster of Lake La Metrie).
- 1978, John Crowley, Beasts, Orbit/Futura (image: The Old Shot Tower).
- 1978, Patricia A. McKillip, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, New York: Avon Books.
- 1978, Josef Nesvabda, In the Footsteps of the Abominable Snowman, New English Library.
- 1979, Robert Lynn Asprin, The Bug Wars, New English Library.
- 1985, Andrew Chapman, Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone Present: Seas of Blood (Fighting Fantasy), Puffin Books.
- 1986, Joseph O'Neill, Land Under England, Penguin Books (image: Beneath the Wall).
- 1987, Worlds Without Words (Educational Resources), 4mation.
- 1988, Jack Vance, Green Magic: The Fantasy Realms of Jack Vance, Tor (image: The Last Armada).
- 1988, Jack Vance, Grüne Magie, Heyne (image: Tiger Moth).
- 1992, Colin Duriez, The Tolkien and Middle-Earth Handbook, Monarch.
- 1992, Naomi Starkey, Ends of the Earth, Minstrel/Kingsway.
- 2009, Mark Jones, Bristol Folk, BFP (Matthews contributed a written piece and the book includes many of his images)
- 2010, George Russell, Where the Bugs Wear Boots, George Russell Associates.
(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
- ^ Read, Al; Brace, Terry (2003). The rock years 1969–1988. Bristol: Broadcast Books. p. 10. ISBN 9781874092827. OCLC 851743737.
- ^ "Matthews, Rodney". The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Portfolio". Rodney Matthews Studios. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "Rodney Matthews". Artists UK. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ Berghammer, Billy. "Haven Artist Revealed". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Rodney Matthews". Dutch Progressive Rock. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Rodnet Matthews". John Guy Collick. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Rodney Matthews". Get Ready to Rock. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Rodney Matthews: One of the world's top graphic designers talks about his Christian faith". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Lavender Castle (1999)". Toon Hound. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Lavender Castle". IMDb. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Rodney Matthews". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Shadow Master Review". Games Spot. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Rodney Matthews Creates Artwork for Midway's Haven: Call of The King". Game Zone. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Nu Jerusalem". Ecotricity. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Rodney Matthews releases Christmas CD I Saw Three Ships and Exclusive Art". With Guitars. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Portfolio". Rodney Matthews Studios. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
External links
- Official website
- Rodney Matthews at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database