About


WHO IS Megan Stortz?

There are artists who paint wildlife — and then there are women who live it. For part of the year, I work as a big game hunting guide in the wild of Alaska, packing meat, glassing ridgelines at first light, and navigating terrain most people only see in magazines. There is no retirement plan in guiding, no clock to punch out from the mountains. So Ive built my own. In the off-season, I channel my life outdoors into bold, one-of-a-kind pieces of functional art. My specialty — and signature — is hand-painted moose paddles, transforming iconic symbols of the North into heirloom artwork that preserves hunting heritage in a way few artists can. Each piece carries the authenticity of someone who has packed sheds out of Alaska’s backcountry herself or sourced them locally. Every creation is 100% made in Alaska. But my work is more than rustic décor — it is legacy. Raised in the mountains, I grew up immersed in fishing, hunting, hiking, and skiing. Those early experiences shaped not only my respect for wildlife but my understanding of what hunting truly represents: stewardship, provision, grit, and tradition passed down through generations. After traveling and living across North America, I began blending Alaska’s wild spirit with influences from the Pacific Northwest and beyond, creating a style that feels both deeply rooted and expansively lived-in. As a female guide and artist in a traditionally male-dominated world, I represent a powerful evolution of modern hunting culture — one that honors tradition while reshaping who carries it forward. Through my art, I preserve the legacy of hunting not as controversy, but as conservation. My commitment goes beyond canvas and bone. I have donated pieces of my artwork to conservation initiatives supporting organizations like Wild Sheep Foundation and other wildlife-focused projects, ensuring that the animals and landscapes that inspire my work are protected for future generations. There is no retirement in guiding, — so I am creating my own financial freedom. Not by leaving the mountains behind, but by building a brand rooted in them. My art allows me to remain connected to the land year-round. From hand-packed sheds to painted moose paddles, every piece tells a story of resilience, wild places, and a woman determined to carve her own path — both on the mountain and in the art world.

Getting outside is good for the soul. Through my artwork, I try to bring the outside in! Living with beautiful objects that pay tribute to the natural world reminds us to slow down and help us reconnect with nature.
My subject matter is nature, whether it is a traditional landscape or incorporating elements like wood or real antlers, I generally use common watercolors, stained glass, pressed flowers, and driftwood.

@Megan_Stortz_Art