Commissioning a Portrait in Hilo, Hawaii
If you are looking for a portrait artist in Hilo, Hazel Morgan offers a truly personal fine art service to clients throughout Hilo, Hawaii 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 Hilo or in the wider Hawaii County, HI 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 Hilo
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 Hilo Area
As your trusted Portrait Artist Hilo, Hazel Morgan serves portrait clients in Hilo and the surrounding communities. Portraits are shipped directly to your door with professional packaging and full insurance coverage.
How to Commission a Portrait from Hilo
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Hilo, Hawaii. 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 Hilo, 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 Hilo typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalized Consultation in Hilo
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 Hilo, Hawaii 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 Hilo 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 Hilo
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 Hilo 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 Hilo. 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 Hilo
Hilo, on the eastern shore of Hawaii's Big Island, carries a spirit unlike anywhere else in the Pacific — lush, rain-kissed, and deeply rooted in a layered cultural identity that Hazel finds endlessly compelling as a portrait artist. What captivates Hazel about Hilo is the way its community life pulses with genuine authenticity, from the historic storefronts of downtown Hilo along Kamehameha Avenue to the extraordinary collection of Hawaiian art and artifacts housed at the Pacific Tsunami Museum — a place that honors both the resilience and the memory of the people who have shaped this remarkable town. The Saturday Hilo Farmers Market, one of the most celebrated open-air markets in Hawaii, draws together generations of local families, flower growers, and craftspeople in a vibrant gathering that speaks to the deep communal bonds Hazel believes are the very soul of great portraiture. For Hazel, understanding a community's heart is essential to capturing the humanity in every face she paints.
The natural grandeur surrounding Hilo deepens Hazel's appreciation for the people who call it home. She is drawn to the dramatic landscape defined by Mauna Kea rising over the island, the thundering beauty of Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls State Park, and the black sand shores of Richardson Ocean Park — environments that shape a population of remarkable strength and wonder. Hilo's art scene, anchored by institutions like the East Hawaii Cultural Center on Kalakaua Street, reflects a community that honors both traditional Hawaiian artistic heritage and contemporary creative voices. Events like the Merrie Monarch Festival, the world-renowned hula competition held annually in Hilo, remind Hazel that this is a place where cultural pride runs profoundly deep, where storytelling through art and movement is treated as sacred. It is precisely this sense of living culture — where history, nature, and human connection are inseparable — that makes Hazel so passionate about creating portraits for the people of Hilo, honoring their stories with the same care and reverence that this extraordinary community brings to its own traditions.
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 Hilo, Hawaii.
Request a Free Consultation