Commissioning a Portrait in Clayton, Missouri
If you are looking for a portrait artist in Clayton, Hazel Morgan offers a truly personal fine art service to clients throughout Clayton, Missouri and the surrounding area. With over four decades of professional experience, Hazel has built an international reputation for creating exquisite hand-painted oil portraits that capture the character, warmth, and individuality of each subject.
Whether you live in the heart of Clayton or in the wider St. Louis County, MO region, commissioning a portrait from Hazel is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Portraits can be painted from professional photographs, personal snapshots, or — where practical — from live sittings arranged at a location convenient to you.
Portrait Painting Services Available in Clayton
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 Clayton Area
As your trusted Portrait Artist Clayton, Hazel Morgan serves portrait clients in Clayton and the surrounding communities. Portraits are shipped directly to your door with professional packaging and full insurance coverage.
How to Commission a Portrait from Clayton
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Clayton, Missouri. 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 Clayton, 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 Clayton typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalized Consultation in Clayton
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 Clayton, Missouri 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 Clayton 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 Clayton
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 Clayton 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 Clayton. 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 Clayton
Clayton, Missouri carries a quiet sophistication that Hazel finds deeply compelling — a place where civic elegance and genuine community warmth coexist in a way that speaks directly to her work as a portrait artist. As the county seat of St. Louis County, Clayton is defined by its refined streetscapes, professional energy, and a cultural seriousness that Hazel greatly admires. What captivates Hazel about Clayton is the way the community gathers around meaningful experiences, from the beloved City of Clayton civic traditions to the celebrated Shaw Park, a beautifully maintained green space that anchors the city's sense of place. The Clayton Farmers Market, held seasonally at Shaw Park, reflects a community that values quality, authenticity, and craft — the same values Hazel brings to every portrait she creates. This is a city where excellence is expected and appreciated, and that sensibility resonates with her deeply.
Hazel is drawn to the way Clayton balances its role as a business and legal hub with a genuine appreciation for the arts and personal legacy. The proximity to the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park — one of the finest free art museums in the entire country — reflects the kind of reverent relationship with fine art that Clayton residents naturally carry with them. Forsyth Boulevard and the broader Central West End influence shape a culture that takes aesthetics seriously, from architecture to interior design, and Hazel finds this heightened visual awareness inspiring when she imagines her clients and the stories their portraits will tell. Clayton's Concordance Art Gallery and the broader local arts community reinforce a culture where original, handcrafted work is genuinely prized over mass-produced alternatives.
Ultimately, what makes Clayton such a meaningful community for Hazel's portrait practice is the depth of personal investment its residents bring to their homes and families. People here build legacies with intention — in their careers, their homes along Wydown Boulevard, and in the way they honor milestones. A bespoke oil portrait is precisely the kind of heirloom that fits within that tradition, and Hazel feels a sincere sense of purpose in creating work that will become part of Clayton family stories for generations to come.
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 Clayton, Missouri.
Request a Free Consultation