Francis Bacon Art Studio, 7 Reece Mews

I am doing some research at the moment into renowned artists' studios and homes in London, and wanted to share some of my findings. Francis Bacon had a fascinating studio in 7 Reece Mews in South Kensington, which was diligently photographed by Perry Ogden. After Bacon’s death in 1992, the studio and its contents were moved to the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art in Dublin. It accounted for thirty years of unchecked creativity; the room was not solely a place to work, but almost a canvas for Bacon's creativity. The doors and walls were used as impromtu palettes. The studio is almost a work of art in itself, and gives us a unique insight into how, why and what Bacon painted. The images are from a book by John Edwards, which can be seen here. 

Erdem, London Fashion Week AW'11

Erdem really lived up to his reputation this week, with a collection filled to the brim with beautiful digital flower prints and Monet-esque patterns. Famous for his floral-print designs, Erdem didn't let this theme get boring, but injected it with a strong palette of colours, a plethora of reds, oranges and deep turquoises and purples. He has said that he was inspired by an artist's muse, who creates a collage of colour and paint in the artist's studio. "Last season, it was all about the girl, this season it's all about the women," Erdem said. " I wanted that nipped in waist, that suggestion of leg, the hint of flesh." Photos: Jane Mingay, The Telegraph Fashion. 

These images remind me of Francis Bacon's art studio, where he used to use the walls and doors as a colour palette for tests, before applying to the canvas. I have a beautiful book at home with images of his studio, at 7 Reece Mews in South Kensington, before it was dismantled and replicated at the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin. 

"Even the walls of the studio itself were used to mix and test paints. From early on in his artistic career, Bacon tried out various materials in his paintings including aerosol cans of car paint, sand, pastel, dust and cotton wool. He also appears to have applied paint with the plastic lids from paint tubes and the open ends of bottles found in the studio". 

http://www.hughlane.ie/francis_bacons_studio.php?type=About&heading=Artist%92s+Materials&rsno=1