Commissioning a Portrait in Key West, Florida
If you are looking for a portrait artist in Key West, Hazel Morgan offers a truly personal fine art service to clients throughout Key West, Florida 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 Key West or in the wider Monroe County 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 Artist Key West Area
As your trusted Portrait Artist Key West, Hazel Morgan serves portrait clients in Key West and the surrounding communities. Portraits are shipped directly to your door with professional packaging and full insurance coverage.
How to Commission a Portrait from Key West
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Key West, Florida. 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 Key West, 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 Key West typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Why Clients in Key West 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 Key West
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 Key West 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 Key West. 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 Key West
Key West and Monroe County carry a spirit unlike anywhere else in Florida - a sun-soaked, soulful energy shaped by the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean meeting at the southernmost tip of the continental United States. Hazel is deeply drawn to the way this community wears its creativity and individuality so openly, from the vibrant street performances along Duval Street to the historic charm of the Mallory Square sunset celebration, a beloved local tradition that draws artists, performers, and spectators together each evening in a genuine expression of communal joy. The Key West Art and Historical Society, which stewards landmarks like the Custom House Museum, reflects exactly the kind of layered cultural identity that Hazel finds so compelling when capturing a person's likeness - the sense that history, place, and personality are always intertwined.
What captivates Hazel about Key West in particular is how the character of its people seems shaped by the landscape itself - the lush, salt-kissed atmosphere of places like Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, the narrow sun-dappled streets of Old Town, and the artistic legacy of figures like Ernest Hemingway, whose famous home on Whitehead Street remains a touchstone of local identity. Hazel admires how the Key West Literary Seminar draws writers and thinkers from across the country each January, energizing the creative community and reinforcing the idea that meaningful storytelling - whether through words or a painted portrait - matters deeply here. The Florida Keys Folk Festival and the vibrant art galleries along Greene Street further speak to a community that genuinely celebrates human expression in all its forms.
For Hazel, creating portraits for clients connected to Key West and Monroe County means honoring people who live surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty - the coral reefs of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the golden light over Stock Island, the sweeping views across Florida Bay. That richness of environment, history, and artistic tradition inspires her to bring the same depth and warmth to every portrait she creates, ensuring that each piece truly reflects the remarkable spirit of its subject and their exceptional home.
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 Key West, Florida.
Request a Free Consultation