The Robot I Had to Have: Discovering Matt Dixon's Whimsical Art

I didn't want to violate any intellectional property rights, so I drew this guy as a robot in honor of my purchase.

While browsing through a few “Top Artist Website” lists (a totally productive use of time, thank you very much), I stumbled upon several artists I hadn’t seen before. Naturally, I started bookmarking like a madwoman—planning to revisit them later, maybe when I had a little more space on the walls. Or at least more wall.

But one artist stopped me in my tracks: Matt Dixon.

He’s a UK-based illustrator who paints robots.

Not just any robots. These are wistful, charming, slightly dented beings with big personalities and even bigger emotional range. Some look lonely. Some look like they just discovered rain. Some are tangled in flowers or trying to read books twice their size.

I... was... smitten.

I scrolled through the entire collection. Then I did it again. And again. I started imagining which robot might get along best with the art already in our house—who would feel most at home hanging out with my own whimsical art: paintings, oddball sculptures, and general chaos.

Whimsical Art: The one I had to have

After careful, probably-too-analytical study, I chose the one. The robot. My robot.

Later that evening, I showed the website to my Matt (because apparently, I have a thing for Matts in art?). He admired the work—he did! —but didn’t seem particularly invested in my selection process.

No “You’ve got to get that one,” no “This is so you,” no spontaneous interpretive robot dance.

Which is fine.

Because I ordered it anyway.

Along with one of Matt Dixon’s books, because I’m not made of stone. Now I’m waiting (im)patiently for my new robot friend to arrive and take its rightful place on our wall.

In the meantime, if you want to fall a little bit in love with some surprisingly soulful machines, check out his work:

👉 mattdixon.co.uk

Can you guess which one I had to have?

P.S. Seriously, what is it with me and Matts in the art world? 🤖🎨

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A blog for art lovers, creative wanderers, and anyone who’s ever made a beautiful mess.

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