One artist annually is invited to celebrate Idaho’s natural beauty—and the advocacy that’s done to protect it—through ICL’s Artist in Residence program. Combining forces with multiple talented artists over the years to explore the nexus of art and nature, this program has been enjoyed by conservation and fine art enthusiasts alike.
It’s hard to believe that the days are beginning to grow shorter and colder already, but fall is nearly here. The passing of the summer means that it’s already been one whole season we’ve spent with ICL’s 2024 Artist in Residence, Taelyn Baiza.
We welcomed Taelyn as our 2024 Artist in Residence in June of this year; she will continue through May 2025. Now four months into her residency, Taelyn shared some highlights and reflections on her experience so far.
“My experience has been really exciting,” Taelyn said. “It’s opened up a lot of new opportunities for me as an artist. It’s been fun planning future projects in my sketchbook, thinking about how ICL might be able to use them.” Taelyn explained that collaborating with a separate entity, one with its own strategies and needs such as ICL, has provided her inspiration for “a lot of ideas [she] wouldn’t have thought of before, and inspiration for new artistic approaches to be able to make [these ideas] happen.”
One of the hallmarks of Taelyn’s approach to artistry is a commitment to advocacy, a feature that is pertinent in her work from initial ideas to the final product.
“Art has the power to capture people’s emotions and inspire social change. It can help people care more by connecting them with an issue that they might not have thought of before, introducing new perspectives.” Taelyn shared. “Sometimes it’s easier to draw out an idea than to explain it in words, which is why I feel like art and advocacy are as deeply connected as journalism and advocacy. Both capture different parts of people’s hearts.”
And what captures Taelyn’s heart? 
“I am inspired by the beauty of the natural world and how I feel when I’m outside. That feeling of awe transcends time and space, and I want my art to encourage others to spend more time outside, appreciate wild places, or even just take a moment to think about nature outside their window.” Taelyn explained.
“Beauty is in the details, and I’ve always been an extremely detailed artist. I like trying to capture the intricacies of my landscape or animal subjects, and I hope to be able to draw more of these scenes. At the same time, I want to challenge myself and grow as an artist, so I also want to try and do more vague and almost impressionistic artwork with acrylic paint and oil pastels. I want to create artwork that reflects Idaho’s nature on a large and small scale.”
One of the most exciting features of ICL’s Artist in Residence Program for Taelyn so far has been the opportunity to experiment and grow, all the while making a meaningful impact: not only for ICL, but for all of Idaho.
“I get to create new work I never would have thought of before. I have a large amount of creative freedom, and thinking about how ICL might be able to use my work has been a great exercise for my creativity. This is a new world for me and I want to make the most of it while I can… I want to surprise myself by using different mediums and creating art in new, fun ways. I would love to connect with a greater audience in Idaho and inspire others to protect our state’s wild places and native species. I also hope that ICL can find ways to use my work to further their cause and gain interest in their policies and advocacy.” 
To see more of Taelyn’s artwork, you can find it @taelynbaizaart on Instagram. Taelyn sells her work as notecards, puzzles, and print designs that you can find on Instagram. If you have questions, you can email Taelyn at [email protected].
This September is ICL’s annual September Membership Drive. When you become a member, you not only support Idaho’s air, water, wild spaces, and animals, but also support creative, thought-provoking, and inclusive approaches to conservation, such as the Artist in Residence Program. Become a member today!