Stepping inside the creative mind of Megan Stumpfig, who goes by the moniker Īko Rabit, is a transformative and thrilling journey for the observer. Her abstract-realist paintings boldly come to life in portraits of the natural world and the astrological realm, through a variety of mixed media, including acrylic, oil and watercolor.

Growing up in Bend, Rabit recalls early memories of being drawn to observing nature and the patterns of animals in their habitats. Her first acrylic painting—of a Dalmatian, created in the 6th grade—proved she held an innate gift and set in motion a lifelong desire to create art. Today, Rabit’s work is still inspired by the infinite wisdom of nature, which she refers to as her “number one muse.” Her subjects often include animals and their symbolism, and are also widely reflective of a connection with the rich cultural contexts found in her travels.

At the age of 19, Rabit took a gap year to explore Ecuador, Peru and the Galápagos Islands—an experience she attributes to giving her the confidence to begin pursuing art as a career. In the years that followed, she studied oil and printmaking at Portland State University and continued traveling and living in countries such as Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador a second time, as well as in California, where she performed live painting at electronic music festivals.

Rabit’s art serves as a tool of self-discovery, one that feels raw and deeply personal yet welcomes viewers into an ever-changing dialogue to better understand their place in the world. She describes this relationship as a curious and transformative exploration—one she hopes will stir something within others as well. It is a place she often revisits through her art, in both times of grief and joy. “The creative process has taught me how to truly trust in life,” Rabit shared. “I’ve come to realize that as long as I continue making art, everything seems to work out, and my life expands in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

This process inspires rhythms of a subtle yet energetic tapestry of patterns, colors and textures that skillfully materialize in her work. Rabit’s creative energy proves to be both fluid and dynamic, carrying over into recent projects like the illustration of an oracle deck and in a series of paintings exploring the ancient wisdom of the zodiac’s astrological archetypes. Currently, she is in the process of creating her biggest canvases yet: 12-by-8-foot and 5-by-7-foot paintings of dragons from the mythology of the lunar nodes.

Rabit’s intuitive approach as an artist keeps her fulfilled and inspired, and gives her an ability to pivot toward what she feels invited into creating at the present moment. Her diverse talent can be seen on display in Redmond at the corner of SW 6th Street and SW Black Butte Boulevard, where she and a partner created an impressive mural more than 100 feet long that captures the natural beauty and historical references of the town.

No matter the subject, Rabit sees her art as a powerful means of exploring the delicate intersection of the familiar with the unseen through a new lens. “I believe that nothing is static in the universe, everything is interconnected. The subjects of my art are often quite clear, bold, familiar…yet when you peer more deeply into the details, there is a whole universe and story that begins to unfold,” she described. “There is always so much more than meets the eye, within everything, when we pause enough to notice and to feel.” 

Where to See Īko Rabit’s Art

• Public mural: SW 6th Street & SW Black Butte Boulevard, Redmond, Oregon
• Ongoing projects: Oracle deck, zodiac series, large-scale mythological paintings

Explore more of Īko Rabit’s artwork online to experience her evolving body of work.

FAQ: Īko Rabit and Bend’s Art Scene

Who is Īko Rabit?
Īko Rabit is the artistic name of Bend-based artist Megan Stumpfig, known for her abstract-realist paintings.

What type of art does she create?
She works in mixed media, including acrylic, oil and watercolor, often focusing on nature, animals and astrology.

Where can you see her work in Central Oregon?
Her large-scale mural is located in Redmond at SW 6th Street and SW Black Butte Boulevard.

What inspires her artwork?
Nature, travel, cultural experiences and astrology all influence her work.