I don’t recall where the idea to paint these robots came from but since the first that I painted, back in 2006, I’ve been fascinated by them and the world they inhabit.
My name is Matt Dixon. I’m a busy freelance illustrator working in the games industry. When I’m not painting angry goblins or weird alien slugs, you might think that I’d like to get away from the computer but no. When it’s time to relax, nothing soothes my mind and calms my nerves like retreating into the world of my robots.
There’s something very restful about losing myself in these paintings. They’re rarely planned. When I’m in the mood, I just sit down and they just seem to happen. That’s partly why I named my first book collecting this artwork ‘Transmissions’ as the images ometimes feel as if they’ve been transmitted into my brain from somewhere else!
More rewarding than the painting process itself is experiencing the reaction that these paintings attract. Some of them conjure the most wonderful responses and emotions, often quite unlike that which I had planned. People often describe them as sad. I don’t really see them that way. Melancholy perhaps. Maybe they’re lost, but I see them trying to make sense of the quiet wonder around them. I think that’s something we can all relate to. A campaign for a second collection of robot art is underway.
More info: mattdixon.co.uk | Kickstarter
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These paintings would be great story starters, especially for kids. If you have a kid, try sitting down with them and looking at these one at a time, and let your child come up with a backstory that led the robot to that scene. I do that with my little niece in art museums, but it would be much easier and more fun to do with these robots.
These paintings are gorgeous but it's so sad that they are lonely. Give them a friend like a bunny or a squirrel!!! (or I'll cry my eyes out T_T)
I'm in lo ve with your robots. They're adorable. I would like to sit with them and contemplate the world around us.
Please have someone write a story to go with your photos or write one yourself. I think it would be an award-winning children's book. Trust me, I was a librarian for 30 years.
Your paintings struck me with such a strong childhood nostalgia and gave me a heavy sense of peace. Thank you for giving your art to the world.
I think your work is awesome, thank you for sharing! Those robots make me think that really we dont have to worry about technology taking away our jobs cos Robots arent quite so scary any more!
Love these! Extremely charming robots. Could be interesting to do a series where a couple of lonely robots meet. Evolve into not lonely robots. For a romantic whimsical robot. I love them anyway. Beautiful.
It is very similar to Machinarium - czech PC gamehttp://machinarium.net/cz/
I can remind Mr. Dixon where he got the idea. His name is Brian Despain and he owns Imphead.com. He has been publishing his robot paintings in Spectrum since 2000. Matt Dixon's work is very nice, and he has every right to enjoy the fruits of his labor, but I think he should give credit where it is due.
I don't see them as sad or lonely either. Some have roles they're playing like the one on the roof with all the antennas. Some are just "start gazing" and loosing themselves in wonderland. I Think these are wonderful and beautiful. I love quirky art like this. Keep drawing these guys! They're absolutely wonderful!
I am enchanted! These robots are so eloquent in their silence! Would love to see MORE...many more!! They are a bit sad, but perhaps there are some "creature" comforts in their future. Beautiful job! <3
I think this art is fantastic! Definitely Mat Dixon loves his work.
Does anyone else see the next Pixar movie developing from these? Great job! You are so talented!
Would you ever consider writing a story with some of these as illusions?
Beautiful, the all look so lonely yet optimistically desperate to join in
I know exactly where this guy got the idea for these. From Brian Despain, who has been painting robots like these since the late 90s. http://despainart.com They are even painted in a similar style. This guy could at least acknowledge the influence.
See also: Goro Fujita Nothing new under the sun.
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Hi Matt, great job, these pictures are beautiful. Keep up with the good work :)
I don't think these paintings are sad at all. There are just robots contemplating. What is sad about that? I mean, I love doing this from time to time - just go to the park for a walk or even sit in front of the computer listening to good music and watching some canvases of my favorite painters...
Hi Matt, Beautiful images, a little depressing, but beautiful none the less. Matt, can I please ask you a random technical question? How did you add follow links in your content? I can only add no-follow links? Many thanks
Excellent! Have none of the proper adjectives to do justice. I think that it will make a Fantastic Children's book. No words necessary. A book to discuss the emotions that children experience from these illustrations.
You must have been inspired by Machinarium, or is it the other way around? You MUST play that game if you haven't. REALLY. BTW Kudos, really beautiful drawings, there's a feeling in each one.
These paintings would be great story starters, especially for kids. If you have a kid, try sitting down with them and looking at these one at a time, and let your child come up with a backstory that led the robot to that scene. I do that with my little niece in art museums, but it would be much easier and more fun to do with these robots.
These paintings are gorgeous but it's so sad that they are lonely. Give them a friend like a bunny or a squirrel!!! (or I'll cry my eyes out T_T)
I'm in lo ve with your robots. They're adorable. I would like to sit with them and contemplate the world around us.
Please have someone write a story to go with your photos or write one yourself. I think it would be an award-winning children's book. Trust me, I was a librarian for 30 years.
Your paintings struck me with such a strong childhood nostalgia and gave me a heavy sense of peace. Thank you for giving your art to the world.
I think your work is awesome, thank you for sharing! Those robots make me think that really we dont have to worry about technology taking away our jobs cos Robots arent quite so scary any more!
Love these! Extremely charming robots. Could be interesting to do a series where a couple of lonely robots meet. Evolve into not lonely robots. For a romantic whimsical robot. I love them anyway. Beautiful.
It is very similar to Machinarium - czech PC gamehttp://machinarium.net/cz/
I can remind Mr. Dixon where he got the idea. His name is Brian Despain and he owns Imphead.com. He has been publishing his robot paintings in Spectrum since 2000. Matt Dixon's work is very nice, and he has every right to enjoy the fruits of his labor, but I think he should give credit where it is due.
I don't see them as sad or lonely either. Some have roles they're playing like the one on the roof with all the antennas. Some are just "start gazing" and loosing themselves in wonderland. I Think these are wonderful and beautiful. I love quirky art like this. Keep drawing these guys! They're absolutely wonderful!
I am enchanted! These robots are so eloquent in their silence! Would love to see MORE...many more!! They are a bit sad, but perhaps there are some "creature" comforts in their future. Beautiful job! <3
I think this art is fantastic! Definitely Mat Dixon loves his work.
Does anyone else see the next Pixar movie developing from these? Great job! You are so talented!
Would you ever consider writing a story with some of these as illusions?
Beautiful, the all look so lonely yet optimistically desperate to join in
I know exactly where this guy got the idea for these. From Brian Despain, who has been painting robots like these since the late 90s. http://despainart.com They are even painted in a similar style. This guy could at least acknowledge the influence.
See also: Goro Fujita Nothing new under the sun.
Load More Replies... Hi Matt, great job, these pictures are beautiful. Keep up with the good work :)
I don't think these paintings are sad at all. There are just robots contemplating. What is sad about that? I mean, I love doing this from time to time - just go to the park for a walk or even sit in front of the computer listening to good music and watching some canvases of my favorite painters...
Hi Matt, Beautiful images, a little depressing, but beautiful none the less. Matt, can I please ask you a random technical question? How did you add follow links in your content? I can only add no-follow links? Many thanks
Excellent! Have none of the proper adjectives to do justice. I think that it will make a Fantastic Children's book. No words necessary. A book to discuss the emotions that children experience from these illustrations.
You must have been inspired by Machinarium, or is it the other way around? You MUST play that game if you haven't. REALLY. BTW Kudos, really beautiful drawings, there's a feeling in each one.
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