Mackenzie Nelson, If Fierce Winds Become Thine Enemy

Artist: Mackenzie Nelson

Title: If Fierce Winds Become Thine Enemy

Medium: Oil

Dimensions: 24 x 12 inches

Price: $2000

Artist Statement: This wild sunflower was tossed about by the wind as I tried to photograph it for reference. I felt frustrated at first, the gusts making my task nearly impossible. Yet, the moment turned out to be fitting. “...If fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou...that all these things shall give thee experience⁠, and shall be for thy good” (D&C 122:7). The flower’s stem is submerged in water—representative of Living Water—its source of strength and life. Without that sustaining water, it would wilt and wither. In the same way, we too must draw daily from the Living Water to endure the winds that test our faith.

Artist Bio: Mackenzie Nelson is a fine artist known for her peaceful, light-filled paintings celebrating beauty, emotion, and the natural world. Working primarily in oil, her work blends classical technique with contemporary softness, offering moments of stillness and reflection in a fast-paced world. Her compositions often center on florals, landscapes, and quiet scenes, inviting viewers to linger and look deeper.

In addition to her gallery and studio practice, Mackenzie’s original paintings have been licensed and featured by major retailers—including Target—bringing fine art into everyday spaces. She also creates surface pattern designs, expanding her artistic reach into textiles, home décor, and lifestyle products.

Based in Payson, UT, Mackenzie’s work has been exhibited in juried shows, and she is excited about the opportunities to present her work more fully through galleries.