“ When I have a painting in mind— an idea, size, colors I want to use, or a vague idea of the composition— I never know how it’ s going to end.”
life.“ Once I’ m downstairs in front of a canvas or sorting things out, I really am in the present, and everything feels very clear,” she said. It’ s in this space, surrounded by nature and removed from external noise, that Kander’ s intuitive conversations with her paintings begin.“ When I have a painting in mind— an idea, size, colors I want to use, or a vague idea of the composition— I never know how it’ s going to end.”
Before paint ever comes out, Kander breathes life onto a canvas with deeply textured, layered fabric, scraps of special letters or tissue paper from friends, drywall compound, gel medium, sand from recent travels, and even the humble sweepings from her studio floor. The result gives each piece depth and a tangible, multifaceted look and feel.
For Kander, art is both a job and a personal expression. She maintains a structured weekly work schedule, setting aside specific times to be in her studio.“ If I waited until I was inspired, there would be periods when art wouldn’ t happen. Sometimes I just need to get to work,” she said.“ Once I’ m there, I might stretch a canvas, prepare a canvas to work on, or sketch. Before I know it, time flows easily, and I get into the zone.” While she said many assume that her work life is one driven solely by inspiration, Kander values the routine of consistent studio hours.“ The discipline informs my creativity,” she said. Her commitment to the process yields carefully-sorted stacks
of paintings tucked all throughout her space, some just begun, some close to complete but awaiting her final judgment, some ready to be photographed for a gallery, and those awaiting shipment.
Kander explained that while artists can sell their work in a myriad of ways, she has always chosen to be represented by galleries. They keep her work in inventory, feature her pieces in shows, and promote, sell, and advertise on her behalf. Throughout her career, Kander said she has been lucky to have worked with galleries that have helped place her paintings with collectors, in museums, and with corporate collections, some of which include the Indiana State Museum, New York University’ s Gallatin Dean’ s Office, and many other companies, private businesses, and area hospitals.
Moving to Brown County helped her reconnect to a natural world that has undeniably made its way into her work. While living in urban environments, she said her compositions were notably vertical, reflecting the cityscape around her. The move to the Midwest slowly shifted her work more horizontally, a change Kander described as reminiscent of the work she produced while surrounded by open spaces in South Africa.
“ Field at Dawn” Mixed media on canvas. 48” x 48”.
Continued on 18
March / April 2025 • Our Brown County 17