Welcome!

To see current works and events, visit my Instagram page: Instagram @mattkania

Recent works

  • St. Francis Xavier – 12x9
     
     
    St. Francis Xavier – 12x9

    This tiny church in 'Chippewa City' on the edge of Grand Marais is not only a simple country church – it is simply beautiful inside. And the childhood home of the famous (native Ojibwe) artist George Morrison. I only had a short amount of time to sketch and paint this interior view, so it's a little rough and ready. But so is the actual interior!

  • Sax-Zim Road – 12x9
     
     
    Sax-Zim Road – 12x9

    In the heart of the Sax-Zim Bog area, near Meadowlands, MN. A great place for birding and beautiful landscapes. This was painted during a paint-out event with Outdoor Painters of Minnesota.

  • On the Border Route – 9x12
     
     
    On the Border Route – 9x12

    This enchanting place is along the Border Route Trail – en route to Magnetic Rock. Can you see the moose?

  • Monument Rock Revealed – 12x9
     
     
    Monument Rock Revealed – 12x9

    One of several plein air oil paintings and Conté crayon paintings created during a wilderness canoe trip to document the late 2021 Horne Fire burn area on Isle Royale National Park.

  • Chicago's Bean – 9x12
     
     
    Chicago's Bean – 9x12

    A plein air gouache on canvas. Painted during the pandemic – a moment in time when Chicago's famous sculpture "Cloud Gate" wasn't surrounded by people!

  • Sacred Music – 32x24
     
     
    Sacred Music – 32x24

    A recent commissioned studio oil painting – honoring a professional pipe organ musician.

  • Good Morning, Duluth - 12x9
     
     
    Good Morning, Duluth - 12x9

    The Duluth north pier lighthouse – awakening and slowly warming to summer's morning light.

  • Smokey Morning on Minnesota Point – 8x10
     
     
    Smokey Morning on Minnesota Point – 8x10

    There's been lots of wildfire smoke that's drifted into Duluth in summer of 2021. But it's produced some interesting atmospheric scenes for painting.

  • Let's Go Outside! – 10x8
     
     
    Let's Go Outside! – 10x8

    A loving portrait of two sweet dogs – a commission and gift to two loving patrons.

  • Susie Islands - 11x14
     
     
    Susie Islands - 11x14

    An iconic September view of the Susie Islands located in Lake Superior, near the Minnesota and Ontario border crossing.

  • Tamarack – 20x16
     
     
    Tamarack – 20x16

    The tamaracks and black spruce forests of late autumn are always a favorite subject for me.

  • Sweet Lilacs – 16x12
     
     
    Sweet Lilacs – 16x12

    A fresh bouquet picked from my yard. I always enjoy direct painting flower arrangements.