TAMAR KANDER continued from 17
18 Our Brown County • March / April 2025
Her art today is an evolution of the landscape-inspired abstracts she reflects on, and she said she sees recurring themes: bodies of water, bridges, and snowywhite expanses. Kander said those themes are subconsciously influenced by the community around her, as well as her travels for work or to visit family. A hike around the lake on her property, a swim at the YMCA, or driving past a pairing of beautifully-colored parked cars all have equal chances of weaving their way onto her canvas.
Kander and her husband, ceramicist Jamas Brooke, usually swim daily at the Y or in the lake at their cabin, when weather permits. Also in her free time, she volunteers at My Sister’ s Closet of Monroe County and is a member of the Friends of Brown County Public Library Board. The reading enthusiast said she often settles into bed around 10 p. m. and spends the next three-or-so hours immersed in historical writings, novels, or The New Yorker.
Kander described Brown County as her“ grounding place” in between travels for exhibitions and installations in Indianapolis, New Mexico, Michigan, Chicago, and beyond.
Yet, she said this is a slower season of life than ones of her past. She said her care-giving schedule became very empty when her mother passed away in October.“ I’ m getting used to a new pace,” Kander said. And over is her era of mass painting production.“ I’ m much more present now …. I’ ve grown beyond worrying about results.”
While her work continues to evolve, Kander is content with her new current creative rhythm.
She’ s enjoying the process of continuing to discover new parts of Brown County, and the sense of connection she feels here to both the land and its people. Kander’ s connection to the natural world continues to infuse her work— and her life— with a sense of stillness and presence.
“ There’ s always so much more to explore, and always so much more to know.”
For more, www. tamarkander. com. •