Portrait Artist Illinois

Commissioning a Portrait in Illinois

Hazel Morgan provides a bespoke portrait painting service to clients throughout Illinois. 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 Illinois. Each commission begins with a personal consultation and results in a work of enduring artistic merit.

Portrait Painting Services Available in Illinois

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 Illinois Communities

How to Commission a Portrait from Illinois

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

Get in Touch for a Personalized Consultation in Illinois

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 Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois

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 Illinois 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 Illinois?

Completed portraits are professionally packaged using custom-built crating and shipped via insured courier directly to your address in Illinois. 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.

Illinois

Why Hazel Loves Illinois

Illinois captivates Hazel Morgan in ways that speak directly to her deep passion for portraiture and human connection. What draws Hazel most powerfully is the remarkable diversity of character found across this state — from the sweeping energy of Chicago's vibrant neighborhoods to the quieter, deeply rooted communities along the Mississippi River. Hazel is particularly drawn to the cultural richness of Chicago's Museum Campus, where the Art Institute of Chicago stands as one of the most celebrated encyclopedic art museums in the world, housing an extraordinary collection that speaks to the enduring power of visual storytelling. She also admires the legendary energy of Millennium Park, where Crown Fountain and Cloud Gate inspire daily conversations between public art and everyday people — exactly the kind of authentic human moment that fuels her portrait work. For Hazel, Illinois is not simply a backdrop; it is a living, breathing canvas filled with real stories waiting to be captured.

Beyond Chicago, Hazel is genuinely moved by the character of Illinois communities that carry tremendous pride in their local traditions. She deeply admires the celebrated Illinois State Fair held annually in Springfield, a beloved tradition that brings together families, farmers, and artists from across the state in a spirit of authentic community. Springfield itself holds a special resonance for Hazel, given its profound historical significance as the home city of Abraham Lincoln — the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum stands as one of the most powerful historical institutions in the country, and Hazel finds that communities shaped by such meaningful history tend to produce people with extraordinary depth and dignity. That depth is precisely what she seeks to capture in every portrait commission she undertakes.

What captivates Hazel about Illinois clients specifically is the extraordinary range of faces, families, and stories she encounters. The cultural diversity found in neighborhoods like Chicago's Pilsen — celebrated each year through the vibrant Pilsen Art House Tour — and the rich agricultural heritage honored along the Illinois River corridor give her portrait subjects a grounded, genuine quality that she finds endlessly compelling. For Hazel, creating portraits for Illinois clients is about honoring lives deeply embedded in a state of remarkable beauty, history, and community spirit.

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 Illinois.

Request a Free Consultation

Portrait Artist Illinois — Bespoke Oil Portrait Paintings