What a treat to be able to introduce Annabel Dover – artist and writer – for the latest in our series of spotlight interviews, where we talk to creatives about the influence of books, buildings, art and literature on their lives and work. Annabel has studied, worked, exhibited and taught internationally. I love her joyful illustrations (for Floris, Hermes, Laduree, Pentreath and Hall, Kettles Yard, Lulu Guinness and Claridges, among many others) - check them out at @annabelpearl and @annabeldover. Her new book Florilegia is published this month (see an earlier Manderley Press post all about this). For full details of Annabel’s work, you can also visit her website: annabeldover.uk.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself, and how you became an artist and a writer?
Oh well that’s very nice-to think of myself as an artist and a writer. I had a revolting childhood and books were a fantastic means of escape, as was painting drawing and writing.

Where is your favourite place to write, and to paint?
In bed, I’m a very lazy person. In my fantasies maybe in a house in Crete.

Could you describe your favourite view to us?
What a lovely question. I taught briefly in Switzerland and I love the view over the lake at night with the shimmery lights and during the day with the eagles overhead. I really love Lake Vougliameni in Greece too and the giant fern cabinet at Chelsea Physic Garden is amazing. Agni Bay in Corfu is very beautiful but last time I was there it was blocked out by Stephen Spielberg’s super yacht.

What was your favourite book as a child?
I liked Harry the Dirty Dog when really young and The Elephant and the Bad Baby, I liked Prince Caspian when I got a bit older and then Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar when I was a teenager. When I was doing A’ levels I loved reading a Virago Modern Classic on a Saturday in bed. That would still be something I’d love to do.

Are you reading anything brilliant right now?
I just finished reading Girl, Woman, Other and I really enjoyed seeing the threads together on second reading … the writing is so nuanced that there are a lot of things I missed the first time that I appreciated on second reading. I’m reading Rummage by Emily Cockayne and The Mirror and the Palette, by Jennifer Higgie at the moment and I think both are brilliant too. Emily Cockayne is an academic and her books are extremely thoroughly researched at the same time as being thrilling. Rummage is about the second hand life of objects. The Mirror and the Palate is fascinating, poetic and vitally important. Higgie describes women artists as human beings rather than art historical footnotes and the feelings of anger at injustice are unfortunately all too current.

Which artists have most informed your work over the years?
I love Barbara Comyns, Antonia White, Alice Walker, Lemn Sissay, Maya Angelou, Graham Greene (books not man), Truman Capote, Sylvia Plath, David Sedaris.

Do you have any favourite writers who have inspired you with their descriptions of places, buildings or specific houses?
I love Peter Ackroyds description of London in London: The Biography.

Tea and crumpets, or cappuccino and croissants?
Oh wow. I’m very immature in my tastes so it might be hot chocolate and croissants and crumpets if I’m allowed please? Also can I have butter and raspberry jam? [MP: YES!]

Do you have an especially important building or place in your heart that you like to visit?
I find the Ancient Agora Athens really fascinating. I got to know it when I was doing a residency at the British School at Athens. I love the craggy old wild tortoises, the Swallowtail butterflies, huge stray polar bear dogs lying down in the shade, cats lying on Roman gravestones and wild flowers. There’s a lovely museum too. I’d love to go to Scotland too and see some beautiful clear water.

Which writers should we be seeking out right now?
I think that publishing seems to be finally getting to grips with the idea there are other people in the world than white men writing.

Finally, can you tell us a bit about your latest work, or plans for the future?
I’m writing bits about objects and peoples lives … also I’m writing about fertility - something I struggled with for many years. Also Athens, it’s such a fascinating place with so many mixed up histories.

Please visit Annabel’s website for more information about her work, and of course, for her contact details.

Instagram snippets | @manderleypress