portraits

“Nate”, 30”x30”, Acrylic on canvas, 2025. In celebration of Nate. He is a helper at Seattle’s Cathedral Kitchen where for over 10 years he’s helped serve dinner to neighbors in need - no matter his own hard times. Nate loves Jordan sneakers so the background of his portrait reads, “JUST DO IT” as a nod to Nate helping others - more than 10 years , 15,360 hours & 70,000 meals served. Michael Jordan scored a total of 32,292 points in his NBA career. Jordan is a GOAT 🐐, but Nate’s stats are pretty inspiring! 

On permanent display at St.James Cathedral Kitchen in Seattle!

“Michael”, Acrylic on canvas, 30”x30”, 2023. Michael loved to ride freight trains. Union Pacific was one of his favorite rides. His journey around our country has included travels to God’s Love in Helena, Montana - a place that was a special part of my own journey as a nurse. He settled down in Seattle & is a beloved volunteer at the St.James Cathedral Kitchen. Along with a whole team of other beautiful humans (& with the help of their amazing leader, Mick) the Cathedral Kitchen helps feed about 750 people in need in downtown Seattle every week. The St.James Cathedral Kitchen has been feeding our neighbors in need since 1975! 

On permanent display at St.James Cathedral Kitchen in Seattle!

“Rufus” & Rufus, 30”x30”, Acrylic on Canvas, 2019. FOR SALE FOR A DONATION OF 2,000 CANS OF FOOD TO A FOOD BANK WHEREVER YOU LIVE! Rufus is one of those special people who no matter what will walk through a door and light up a room. He used to drive an old pick-up truck around town and collect cardboard for recycling. He told me once that his favorite cardboard to collect was produce boxes - for their weight I imagine. Making him even more interesting to me is his nickname, “Trackdown”. Whenever a neighbor needs to find someone they ask Rufus - he can find anyone, anytime, anywhere.

SOLD FOR A GIFT

OF 2,000 CANS OF FOOD

TO THE PIKE MARKET FOOD BANK!

“Ghirmai” & Ghirmai, 24”x24”, Acrylic on canvas, 2019. I discovered him sitting across from his portrait incognito - wearing aviators and a ball cap. When he saw his painting, he tossed his shades & hat aside and sat underneath his portrait - beaming. Although some of his facial features have changed since the time I started his painting, I see the same sparkle in his eyes. Many of the sitters for my portraits struggle with hunger and access to food & so it’s especially meaningful to “sell” the art in exchange for food for the food bank. “Ghirmai” for sale in exchange for a gift of 1,001 cans of food to the community food bank wherever you live!

SOLD FOR A FOOD DONATION

TO THE THURSTON COUNTY

FOOD BANK!

“Gino” & Gino, 24”x24”, Acrylic on canvas, 2019. I asked him what he wanted people to know about him when they view his portrait. He spoke of life & determination to beat cancer. What moved me even more was what he said the first time he saw his finished painting. I told him nobody’s ever painted my portrait... he told me in his whole life nobody ever took his photo until now.

SOLD FOR A DONATION OF 600 LOAVES OF BREAD TO THE ST.JAMES CATHEDRAL KITCHEN!

“Matthew”, 18”x18”, Acrylic on wood panel, 2017. One of the most kindhearted & stylish people I’ve ever painted makes Matthew just plain cool. The background of his painting is Hotwheels - a nod to his mobility via wheelchair. For sale for a donation of 650 cans of food to Redwood Empire Food Bank in Santa Rosa, CA.

SOLD FOR 768 CANS OF FOOD FOR THE SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA EMPIRE REDWOOD FOOD BANK

TO HELP PEOPLE IMPACTED

BY WILD FIRES!

“Robert”, 30”x30”, Acrylic on canvas, 2012. It didn’t matter that he had no home in Seattle. He took such pride in his image - he often sent his clothes out to be dry cleaned. He wouldn’t let his spirit be broken! The background of his portrait is a vintage ad for laundry detergent to remind me of his story.

SOLD TO SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO COLLECTIED 1,001 CANS OF FOOD FOR A FOOD BANK!

“Larry”, 24”x24”, Acrylic on canvas, 2018.In downtown Seattle one morning, I met a woman who had not eaten any food in two days. She rushed away when we met, apologizing for her haste as she had to go somewhere to find food because she was so hungry. Not long after that, I crossed paths with Larry and started his portrait...& earmarked it right away for breakfast food - thinking of that hungry woman.

SOLD FOR 1,200 CEREAL BREAKFAST CUPS TO SEATTLE’S RAINIER VALLEY FOOD BANK!

Michael was a former Eagle Scout who endured hard times.When I met Michael, he was going through a training program to become a chef. He often wore his chef’s uniform when I saw him and he referred to himself as, “Chef Michael”.Not long after I completed his portrait, Michael disappeared.For many years, I feared that maybe he didn’t like his portrait… then one day about seven years later, I saw him.With a giant grin on his face, he couldn’t wait to show me all of the photos of his portrait that he’d been carrying on his phone all those years.The painting made him happy!I was relieved!

SOLD FOR 500 PAIRS OF NEWUNDERWEAR TO HOMELESS MEDICAL CLINIC IN SEATTLE!

email maryl@marylarsonart.comphone 206.579.6937 seattle

all images & information copyright mary larson 2026