Commissioning a Portrait in Durham, North Carolina
If you are looking for a portrait artist in Durham, Hazel Morgan offers a truly personal fine art service to clients throughout Durham, North Carolina 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 Durham or in the wider Orange 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 Painting Services Available in Durham
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 Durham Area
As your trusted Portrait Artist Durham, Hazel Morgan serves portrait clients in Durham and the surrounding communities. Portraits are shipped directly to your door with professional packaging and full insurance coverage.
How to Commission a Portrait from Durham
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Durham, North Carolina. 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 Durham, 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 Durham typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalized Consultation in Durham
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 Durham, North Carolina 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 Durham 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 Durham
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 Durham 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 Durham. 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 Durham
Durham, North Carolina carries a cultural depth and civic energy that Hazel finds genuinely compelling when creating portraits for clients who call this city home. What captivates Hazel about Durham is the way its identity is shaped by both intellectual rigor and creative freedom — a combination that speaks directly to the spirit of portrait work. The presence of Duke University, with its magnificent Gothic campus and the Nasher Museum of Art housed within it, reflects a community that takes visual culture seriously. Hazel is drawn to the fact that Durham clients are surrounded by serious, thoughtful art on a daily basis, and she believes that sensibility shines through in the way they approach a bespoke portrait — with care, intention, and a genuine appreciation for what a hand-painted oil portrait represents as an heirloom.
The broader cultural fabric of Durham adds even more richness to Hazel's connection with its residents. She admires how the Durham Farmers' Market at Durham Central Park has become a beloved community anchor, reflecting the city's commitment to local authenticity and craftsmanship — values that resonate deeply with her own approach to portraiture. The American Tobacco Historic District, with its beautifully transformed industrial architecture along the banks of the Eno River watershed, speaks to Durham's talent for honoring history while embracing the contemporary. Events like the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and the thriving music scene at venues such as the Carolina Theatre further illustrate a population that is genuinely engaged with storytelling and human expression in all its forms.
For Hazel, creating a portrait for a Durham client means working for someone whose life is woven into a city that celebrates both heritage and innovation. She is inspired by the way Durham embraces its Bull City identity with pride — from the historic Durham Athletic Park to the creative energy radiating through the Brightleaf District. The people of Durham carry a particular combination of warmth and intellectual curiosity, and Hazel believes those qualities deserve to be captured with the same depth and authenticity that defines their remarkable city. Each portrait she creates for a Durham family becomes a reflection not just of the individual, but of a community with a truly distinctive character.
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 Durham, North Carolina.
Request a Free Consultation