Commissioning a Portrait in Ann Arbor, Michigan
If you are looking for a portrait artist in Ann Arbor, Hazel Morgan offers a truly personal fine art service to clients throughout Ann Arbor, Michigan 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 Ann Arbor or in the wider Washtenaw County, MI 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 Ann Arbor Area
As your trusted Portrait Artist Ann Arbor, Hazel Morgan serves portrait clients in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities. Portraits are shipped directly to your door with professional packaging and full insurance coverage.
How to Commission a Portrait from Ann Arbor
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 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 Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Why Clients in Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor
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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor. 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 Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor captivates Hazel Morgan in ways that feel both intellectually alive and deeply human - a rare combination that she finds profoundly inspiring for her portrait work. What draws Hazel to this community is the extraordinary cultural richness that radiates from the University of Michigan, whose presence shapes the city with a constant current of creativity, curiosity, and ambition. The University of Michigan Museum of Art, with its remarkable permanent collection and history of championing artistic dialogue, speaks directly to Hazel's belief that portraiture belongs in serious conversation with the broader art world. She is also drawn to the energy of the Ann Arbor Art Center, a beloved institution on South Fifth Avenue that has long supported working artists and connected them with a genuinely enthusiastic community. For Hazel, places like these signal that the people of Ann Arbor don't just appreciate art - they invest in it, live alongside it, and care about what it means.
What captivates Hazel about Ann Arbor's community identity is the way local life and artistic culture weave together so naturally. The Ann Arbor Art Fair, one of the largest juried art fairs in the country, reflects a civic pride in craft and creativity that Hazel finds deeply motivating when she considers the kinds of portraits her clients here might treasure. She admires the character of neighborhoods like Kerrytown, where the Kerrytown Market and Shops create a warm, community-centered atmosphere around the historic Farmers Market on Detroit Street - a space where neighbors know each other and where a sense of place genuinely matters. The Huron River threading through the city and the green expanse of Gallup Park add a natural grace to Ann Arbor's character that Hazel finds reflected in the thoughtful, grounded people who call this city home.
Hazel believes that a great portrait captures not just a likeness, but the spirit of someone shaped by their environment. Ann Arbor's people carry with them the influence of a city that values ideas, community, and beauty in equal measure - and that makes every commission from this remarkable Michigan city feel like an especially meaningful and rewarding collaboration.
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 Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Request a Free Consultation