Celebrating connection, creativity, and conservation through local art!
Amy Ruiz, a visual artist from McCall, Idaho blends bold colors, layered brushwork, and a signature dabbing technique to capture the emotion of fleeting moments – sunsets, quiet drives, wildlife encounters, and time spent outside with the people she loves.
Amy paints the world around her with a distinctive voice that blends realism and imagination. Her paintings tell stories of connection and place, rooted deeply in memories and shaped by her love of Idaho’s landscapes and communities.
Amy’s journey with Payette Land Trust began three years ago when she joined the first cohort of the PLT Heart Art Program as a student artist. That early opportunity planted a seed, giving her a platform to grow, experiment, and develop her unique artistic voice. This year, she returned to the program as the featured artist for the 2025 PLT BIG HEART. Her piece, titled “Our Home,” is a beautiful tribute to belonging, memory, and the shared love of the land we call home.
The 2025 BIG HEART is currently on display at the Valley County Fair, where visitors can also see two new paintings by Amy: “Osprey Cliff” and “Hells Canyon Visitor Center” – both part of the Valley County Fair Open Exhibit.
The BIG HEART will continue its journey around the community until February 2026 when it will be available through auction, along with additional original artworks, at the 2026 SweetHEART Event on February 14, 2026, at Shore Lodge in McCall.
We’re honored to celebrate Amy’s evolving artistic journey and proud to be a part of her story. Her work continues to remind us why we protect the special places that inspire it!
