Marni Butikofer wants to be a peace giver.
For Marni, her work as an artist is a manifestation of her testimony of the Prince of Peace himself, Jesus Christ.
“My hope for anyone who comes across my art is that it brings them peace. Now more than ever, peace seems to be in short supply,” she said.
Marni is one of seven artists SALT Summit is featuring in their Workbook.
Her piece, “Towards Him,” features diverse sons and daughters of God pointed toward the Savior.
It’s through pieces like “Towards Him,” that Marni fortifies her faith.
“Art has always strengthened my faith because it gave me peace. Art is one of the best ways for me to feel the Spirit intimately,” she said.
Through her art, Marni is able to share her testimony with other believers and hopes they feel a portion of the peace that comes to her.
“I hope those who already have their art in my homes are constantly reminded that they are loved by our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. There’s always room for more reminders like that.”
Marni grew up with color.
“I’ve been an artist as long as I can remember,” Butikofer said. “Coloring books, drawing on any surface I could find, painting, pastels – I could never keep my hands clean!”
Her voracious appetite to create in whatever way she can has followed her into adulthood and her work as an artist.
“I go through phases as to what medium I’m into at the time, but I’m content to create all day long,” she said.
Her creative process is a deeply spiritual one.
“If I’m creating a Christ-centered piece, it strictly comes from the Spirit. The ideas, the colors, the layout, the execution – I’m simply the tools. The whole creative process is a creative collaboration with myself and my Heavenly Father,” Marni said.
The drive to create hit Marni profoundly hard one night in December 2019.
“I had a dream about this Christ piece that I needed to create,” she said. “The next day at work, the dream wouldn’t leave her mind. My brain was running all day. I would use sticky notes to sketch this piece out just to get it out of my head and onto paper.”
That night, following the promptings of the spirit, she put her pencil to paper and began to draw.
“I had no idea how it was going to turn out, but I just started drawing,” she said.
The next day, she released that portrait on social media. To this day, this piece, titled “Fear Not,” is her most requested piece of art.
“My Heavenly Father knew the creative gift he gave me would bless others who needed this piece of art in their home,” Marni said. “I will cherish that moment forever.”
Marni hopes the Spirit will speak to those who view her art in the way they need it.
“I’ve had many times where I’ve felt the Spirit speak to me or comfort me while looking at a piece of art,” she said. “I could only hope that others feel the way about what I’ve created.”
Marni is a Salt Lake City native, and is excited to move back to Utah with her husband soon.
She’s excited for future projects and collaborations and said she can’t wait to share them.
Register today at www.saltgathering.com for tickets to the SALT Summit, where we will be featuring Marni’s piece, “Towards Him.”
You can see more of her work at her website, www.madebymarnib.com and on Instagram at @madebymarnib