Commissioning a Portrait in Nevada County
Hazel Morgan is a portrait artist serving clients across Nevada County. With more than 40 years of fine art expertise, she creates hand-painted oil portraits that are treasured as family heirlooms, corporate centrepieces, and lasting memorials. Her work has been commissioned by private collectors, universities, corporations, and public institutions throughout the region.
Clients in Nevada County benefit from Hazel’s established process for working with distant sitters. Whether you prefer to supply photographs or arrange a sitting, every portrait receives the same meticulous attention to detail that has earned Hazel recognition from prestigious art societies on both sides of the Atlantic.

Portrait Painting Services Available in Nevada County
Hazel offers a comprehensive range of portrait styles and subjects to suit every occasion and setting. Each portrait is painted entirely by hand in fine oil paints on premium Belgian linen canvas, using techniques refined over a career spanning more than four decades.
Classical & Formal Portraits
Traditional oil portraits for private collections, family legacies, and formal settings. Available as head-and-shoulders, half-length, or full-length compositions.
Corporate & Boardroom Portraits
Distinguished portraits of CEOs, directors, chancellors, and civic leaders. Painted to the exacting standards expected by boardrooms and institutional collections.
Family & Child Portraits
Intimate portraits that capture the personality and spirit of children and families. Painted from photographs or sittings to create a cherished keepsake.
Pet & Equestrian Portraits
Beautifully detailed oil paintings of beloved pets, horses, and companion animals. Each painting conveys the unique character and personality of the subject.
Memorial & Posthumous Portraits
Sensitive and respectful memorial portraits created from photographs. A meaningful way to honor the memory of a loved one through fine art.
Academic & Institutional Portraits
Portraits of chancellors, professors, benefactors, and distinguished alumni for universities, schools, and learned societies.
Portrait Artist Nevada County Area
As your trusted Portrait Artist Nevada County, Hazel Morgan serves portrait clients in Nevada County and the surrounding communities. Portraits are shipped directly to your door with professional packaging and full insurance coverage.
Portrait Services in Nevada County Communities
- Portrait Artist Grass Valley | Commission a Portrait
- Portrait Artist Nevada City | Commission a Portrait
- Portrait Artist Penn Valley | Commission a Portrait
- Portrait Artist Truckee | Commission a Portrait
- Portrait Artist Smartsville | Commission a Portrait
- Portrait Artist Chicago Park | Commission a Portrait
- Portrait Artist Rough and Ready | Commission a Portrait
How to Commission a Portrait from Nevada County
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Nevada County. The process has been refined over hundreds of commissions to ensure a seamless experience for every client.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
The process begins with a complimentary consultation — by telephone, video call, or email — during which Hazel discusses your vision for the portrait. This covers the subject, preferred composition, size, background, clothing, and any particular details you would like to include. There is no obligation at this stage.
Step 2: Photographs & References
For clients in Nevada County, Hazel can work from professional photographs, high-quality personal photographs, or a combination of multiple reference images. She provides clear guidance on the types of photographs that produce the best results. Where feasible, live sittings can also be arranged.
Step 3: The Painting Process
Once the composition is agreed, Hazel begins painting. The process typically takes between six and twelve weeks depending on the complexity of the piece. Clients receive progress photographs at key stages so you can see the portrait taking shape and provide feedback before completion.
Step 4: Delivery & Framing
Completed portraits are professionally packaged for shipping. Shipping and framing costs are provided once the painting is complete. Hazel can also recommend master framers who specialise in fine art framing to complement your finished portrait. Clients in Nevada County typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.

Get in Touch for a Personalized Consultation in Nevada County
Every portrait commission is unique, and Hazel provides a personalized quotation based on your specific requirements. Factors such as the size of the canvas, the number of subjects, and the complexity of the composition are all discussed during an initial telephone consultation, which is entirely free and without obligation.
Hazel welcomes inquiries from clients in Nevada County and is happy to talk through your ideas at a time that suits you. Whether you have a clear vision or are simply exploring the possibility of commissioning a portrait, she looks forward to hearing from you.
Why Clients in Nevada County Choose Hazel Morgan
Hazel Morgan brings a rare combination of artistic excellence, professional reliability, and personal warmth to every commission. Here is what sets her apart:
Over 40 years of professional experience — Hazel has been painting portraits professionally since the early 1980s, amassing a body of work that spans hundreds of commissions for private, corporate, and institutional clients worldwide.
Award-winning recognition — Her work has been exhibited at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, and other prestigious venues. She is a member of several leading art societies.
A personal, one-to-one service — Unlike studio operations, every portrait is painted entirely by Hazel herself. You deal directly with the artist from first consultation through to delivery, ensuring your vision is faithfully realised.
International shipping expertise — Hazel regularly ships completed portraits to clients across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond. Every painting is professionally packaged to arrive in perfect condition.
Complete satisfaction guaranteed — Hazel works closely with each client throughout the painting process. Progress images are shared at every stage, and adjustments are made until you are completely happy with the finished portrait.

Frequently Asked Questions — Portrait Commissions in Nevada County
Hazel provides personalized quotations after an initial telephone consultation, during which she discusses your specific requirements. The consultation is complimentary and entirely without obligation. Please get in touch to arrange a convenient time to talk.
Not at all. The majority of Hazel’s commissions are painted from photographs, which makes the process convenient for clients in Nevada County and beyond. Hazel provides guidance on the best types of photographs to supply. Live sittings can be arranged where practical.
Most portraits are completed within six to twelve weeks from the start of painting, depending on the complexity of the commission. Hazel provides a realistic timeline during the initial consultation. Rush commissions can sometimes be accommodated for special occasions.
Hazel has extensive experience working with a range of photographic references, including older or lower-resolution images. She can often combine multiple photographs to create a single cohesive portrait. During the consultation, she will advise on whether your available photographs are suitable.
Completed portraits are professionally packaged using custom-built crating and shipped via insured courier directly to your address in Nevada County. Shipping and framing are quoted separately after the portrait is completed.
Client satisfaction is paramount. Hazel shares progress photographs at key stages throughout the painting process so you can provide feedback and request adjustments. This collaborative approach means that by the time the portrait is complete, it faithfully reflects your vision.
Why Hazel Loves Nevada County
Hazel is drawn to Nevada County for the same reason so many artists and storytellers find themselves captivated by the Sierra Nevada foothills — it is a place where history, natural grandeur, and genuine community spirit converge in a way that feels almost cinematic. The South Yuba River carves through dramatic granite canyons, the Deer Creek Corridor winds through the heart of Grass Valley, and the Emigrant Trail once carried generations of determined families through this very landscape. What captivates Hazel about this region is precisely that layered sense of human story written into the land itself — and that is exactly what she seeks to honor in every portrait she creates. The annual Nevada County Fair, one of California's oldest county fairs, speaks to the deep pride residents take in their heritage and community bonds, and the vibrant Tuesday Night Market in downtown Nevada City reflects a creative, locally rooted culture that values craft, authenticity, and connection — values that sit at the very heart of Hazel's portrait work.
The arts community here is specific and serious in ways that genuinely inspire her approach to portraiture. The Nevada City Arts Council champions a creative culture that punches well above its weight for a community of this size, and the downtown Nevada City Historic District — with its Victorian storefronts, iron-shuttered buildings, and the landmark National Hotel — carries an atmosphere of preserved elegance that resonates deeply with Hazel's appreciation for beauty that endures. The Grass Valley Cornish Christmas celebration, a beloved annual tradition honoring the Cornish miners who shaped this region's gold rush identity, is exactly the kind of community ritual that reminds Hazel why portraiture matters — it is about preserving who people are and where they come from.
For Hazel, creating a bespoke oil portrait for a Nevada County family is an act of participating in a tradition of honoring lives and legacies that this community clearly holds dear. Whether a family cherishes its deep roots in the foothills or has more recently made Nevada County home, Hazel admires the warmth and individuality that define the people here — and she brings that same thoughtfulness and care to every commissioned portrait she undertakes on their behalf.
Ready to Commission Your Portrait?
Begin with a complimentary, no-obligation consultation. Hazel would love to discuss your portrait ideas and provide a personalized quotation for clients in Nevada County.
Request a Free Consultation





