Gerry Anderson M.B.E., 1929-2012

Today I stand with Gerry's wife Mary and his son Jamie, as they face grief and great loss.

I also acknowledge the passing of a great man, an inspiration, and a friend.

Gerry Anderson was an internationally acclaimed film and TV producer and originator who, throughout his long and distinguished career, brought joy and hope to so many people (children and adults alike) through his wonderful sci-fi programmes, which include Thunderbirds, Stingray, and Captain Scarlet.

The world is a darker place without him.

I worked with Gerry for two years on the TV series Lavender Castle. It was the highlight of my own career, a treasured memory. Up until recently, we had been hoping to secure finance and make three other shows: The Andermatt Thunderbolt, Christmas Miracle, and Regor The Rescue Dog. Alas, it was not to be.

Rodney Matthews, December 2012.

A good time was had by all at the Hard Rock Hell event. Left to right: Tony Clarkin, Rodney (with illuminated nose), and Bob Catley in Magnum's tour bus.

Magnum performed excellently, as did most of the bands. Rodney was pleased to meet some old friends such as Praying Mantis (Tino & Chris Troy), and many fans who helped to make the gig highly enjoyable.

Thanks to Al Barrow for the picture.

Rodney will be attending the classic rock event Hard Rock Hell at Pontin's Holiday Park, Prestatyn, north Wales, to sign merchandise and meet fans.

The event runs from the 1st to the 4th of December 2011, and features some of the bands Rodney has worked for, including Magnum, Praying Mantis, and The Tygers of Pan Tang.

Rodney will be available for signing prints, posters, and other items at the Classic Rock High Voltage festival on Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th July 2011 at Victoria Park, London.

A note from Rodney...

Your opportunity to own some of my J.R.R. Tolkien inspired original artwork.

For a selection of original colour paintings and pencil drawings, please contact Mark Faith of Festival Art and Books, who is the exclusive representative for my Tolkien-inspired works.

To find out more go to:  Festival Art and Books
or E-mail:  faith@festivalartandbooks.com

The Fantastic Intergalactic Adventures of Stanley and Livingston

Rodney Matthews and American writer, Marco Palmer, have collaborated as illustrator and author to bring you a new science fiction series of books. This novel is the first of two side-splitting volumes concerning Stanley and Livingston, the greatest explorers in the universe.

448 pages with black & white illustrations.

Now available from Amazon USA and Amazon UK

ISBN: 9781453812334

Raven Armoury recently completed a sword based on Rodney's design for Stormbringer - Elric's black-bladed rune sword from the Eternal Champion fantasy series by Michael Moorcock. Raven intends to make a small limited edition run of this almost five foot long sword, authorized and approved by Moorcock.

Pictures courtesy of Raven Armoury.

This new event will be held in mid-Wales, UK, from August 13th-15th, 2010. Festival in the Shire is a celebration of all things inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, featuring art, literature, and seminars on Tolkien and his works. Rodney will be present, exhibiting artwork together with other Tolkien-inspired artists and writers. There will also be an opportunity to hear him speak about his work, and to purchase prints & original artwork. More details can be obtained from http://www.festivalintheshire.com.

Download the flyer: Rodney Matthews Gandalf-Balrog.pdf

"You shall not pass!"

Rodney will be signing prints, posters, and books at High Voltage, the classic rock festival taking place in Victoria Park, London, this weekend, Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th July 2010. Be sure to drop by!

Tel.: 0871 230 5582
Web: http://www.highvoltagefestival.com

Following the popularity of 2007's Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow, Rodney has just finished work on a new illustration for the forthcoming Magnum album Into the Valley of the Moon King. The art concept is by band leader Tony Clarkin, who also writes the lyrics for all Magnum albums.

Visit the official Magnum Web site here: http://www.magnumonline.co.uk

Some recent magazine articles:

Artists & Illustrators - Issue #269 ('January 2009')

Includes a three-page feature, 'Airing the Imagination', in which Rodney outlines his 40 year association with the airbrush. There are also tips on technique.

DeathRay - Issue #16 ('Winter 2008')

Contains 'The Art of Rodney Matthews', an eight-page question & answer feature by Guy Haley.

Illustration Magazine - Issue #17 ('Autumn 2008')

Features Rodney's Alice illustration At the March Hare's Table on the front cover. The magazine contains an 'Illustrating Alice' article by Selwyn Goodacre titled 'After Tenniel'. Among other Alice illustrators including Arthur Rackham, Rodney has a one-page account in his own words about his recent Alice in Wonderland book and how it came about.

Rodney's new book, Alice in Wonderland, was published at the end of 2008 by Templar Publishing. It contains 14 colour illustrations and 14 monotone pencil drawings.

This 95 page book from Templar's 'Timeless Classics' series comes as a hardback (ISBN: 978-1-84011-488-1), and a jeweled slip-cased edition (ISBN: 978-1-84011-483-6).

		Masaccio, Michelangelo, Manet, Monet, Matisse, Munch, Mondrian, and Matthews. All my favourite artists begin with 'M'. Except for Mantegna (I don't mean that Mantegna doesn't start with an 'M', it's just that he's not one of my favourite artists. Neither is Macke; bloody rubbish, if you ask me). 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 his stuff will become even more valuable. Especially when he dies. John Cleese,  2008

On Thursday 4th December 2008, Rodney will be signing copies of his new illustrated book, 'Alice in Wonderland', at the following venues:

There are two versions of the book; a hardback, selling at £14.99, and a slip-cased hardback at £19.99. Published by Templar Publishing as the latest of their 'Timeless Classics' series.

The book of 95 pages is a new and original take on the Lewis Carroll masterpiece, and is endorsed by John Cleese.