Portrait Artist California, CA

Commissioning a Portrait in California

Hazel Morgan provides a bespoke portrait painting service to clients throughout California. An award-winning artist with over four decades of professional experience, Hazel creates hand-painted oil portraits of exceptional quality for individuals, families, corporations, and institutions across the state.

From the boardroom to the family home, Hazel’s portraits have graced the walls of distinguished collectors, university halls, and corporate headquarters throughout California. Each commission begins with a personal consultation and results in a work of enduring artistic merit.

Portrait Painting Services Available in California

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 Services in California Communities

How to Commission a Portrait from California

Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in California. 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 California, 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 California typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.

Get in Touch for a Personalized Consultation in California

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 California 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 California 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 California

How do I get a quotation for a portrait?

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.

Do I need to sit for the portrait in person?

Not at all. The majority of Hazel’s commissions are painted from photographs, which makes the process convenient for clients in California and beyond. Hazel provides guidance on the best types of photographs to supply. Live sittings can be arranged where practical.

How long does a portrait take to complete?

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.

Can you paint from old or low-quality photographs?

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.

How is the finished portrait delivered to California?

Completed portraits are professionally packaged using custom-built crating and shipped via insured courier directly to your address in California. Shipping and framing are quoted separately after the portrait is completed.

What if I am not happy with the portrait?

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.

California

Why Hazel Loves California

California holds a very special place in Hazel's artistic heart, and it's easy to understand why. The sheer scale and diversity of the state's landscape — from the granite peaks of Yosemite National Park and the redwood groves of Muir Woods to the sun-soaked coastline of Big Sur along Highway 1 — gives Hazel an enduring sense of awe at the world her clients call home. She is deeply drawn to the cultural richness woven into California's communities, whether that's the vibrant energy of San Francisco's Mission District with its legendary murals, the storied art collections housed at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, or the celebrated Monterey Jazz Festival that has gathered musicians and audiences every September since 1958. These are places and traditions that speak to lives lived fully and passionately, and that spirit translates beautifully into the kind of bespoke portrait work Hazel creates.

What captivates Hazel about California's communities is the remarkable sense of individuality and pride that people carry. In the Bay Area, neighborhoods like Noe Valley and Hayes Valley nurture thriving local identities, while the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market draws San Franciscans together each Saturday around the bounty of the California harvest. Further south, the arts colony of Laguna Beach — home to the famous Pageant of the Masters each summer — reflects a longstanding commitment to celebrating beauty in everyday life. Hazel finds these cultural touchstones deeply meaningful, because portrait commissions are ultimately about honoring the people shaped by these very places and communities.

Hazel also admires the warmth and ambition that define California's people — a quality she sees reflected in every commission she receives from clients across the state. Whether a family rooted in the historic streets of Old Sacramento, a couple celebrating life near the Santa Monica Pier, or an individual whose story is tied to the wine country landscapes of Napa Valley, Hazel approaches every portrait with the same care and intention that Californians themselves bring to the things they love. For Hazel, creating a bespoke oil portrait for a California client is an opportunity to honor not just a face, but an entire world of experience.

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 California.

Request a Free Consultation

Portrait Artist California | Commission a Portrait