Autobiography
My name is Rodney Matthews. For over 45 years now, I have been an illustrator and conceptual designer of fantasy and science-fiction. Trained at the West of England College of Art, I worked in advertising before turning freelance in 1970.
I have designed over 120 subjects for record album covers, for many rock and progressive rock bands, including the likes of Thin Lizzy, Nazareth, Asia, The Scorpions, Magnum, Rick Wakeman, Barclay James Harvest, Avantasia and Praying Mantis.
More than 90 of my pictures have been published worldwide, selling millions in poster format, as well as many international editions of calendars, jigsaw puzzles, postcards, notecards, snowboards and T-shirts.
My originals have been widely exhibited throughout the UK and Europe. As a regular exhibitor at Britain's foremost illustrators' gallery, the Chris Beetles Gallery, in London's West End, I met English comedian, actor, writer and producer John Cleese, who owns six of my originals and commissioned the piece 'Take Him Inside' from 'The Wind and The Willows'. In 2008 Cleese remarked:
"Michelangelo, Manet, Monet, Matisse, Munch, Modrain, and Matthews. All my favourite artists begin with an 'M'. And so, Rodney Matthews is generally acknowledged to be among the greatest artists that have ever lived. Need I say more? Please buy this book, and all his other works, because then my immense collection of stuff will become even more valuable. Especially when he dies."
He is, of course, referring to the classic story ‘Alice in Wonderland’, published by Templar in 2008, where I illustrate Alice's spectacular journey throughout Lewis Carroll’s amazing, magical dreamland.
I have illustrated numerous books, however am most closely associated with English fantasy and science-fiction author Michael Moorcock. Our collaboration in the 1970’s resulted in a series of 12 large posters, depicting scenes from Moorcock’s ‘Eternal Champion’ series, being published by the legendary Big O poster company in London, Germany, and the USA. These images were also used for a 1978 calendar entitled ‘Wizardry and Wild Romance’. I also designed the covers and illustrated many Moorcock novels. Moorcock said:
“Like only a few artists, Rodney Matthews frequently has the knack of exactly capturing not only the described detail of my scenes, but (much harder to accomplish) also of catching the exact mood of a piece."
In 1998, with the late Gerry Anderson, I completed 'Lavender Castle', a major children's animation series, with 26 x 10 minute episodes incorporating stop-motion model animation and CGI. It was produced at Cosgrove Hall Films in Manchester, England and purchased by ITV for the UK, collecting impressive ratings and reviews. I also contributed concept designs for the 2005 movie 'The Magic Roundabout'.
I have worked with computer game developers, having supplied overall conceptual design for the Sony/Psygnosis game 'Shadow Master'. I have also provided conceptual designs for the game 'Haven - The Call of the King', published by Midway.
I have produced some distinctive publicity and a logo for the UK’s pioneering green energy company Ecotricity, the first in the world to offer Green Electricity.
Current projects include a music album with American guitarist Jeff Scheetz, John Payne (Asia), Oliver Wakeman (Yes) and Pete Coleman, influenced by my images. I play the drums and write the lyrics.
