Commissioning a Portrait in Seattle, Washington
If you are looking for a portrait artist in Seattle, Hazel Morgan offers a truly personal fine art service to clients throughout Seattle, Washington 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 Seattle or in the wider King 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 Seattle
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 Seattle Area
As your trusted Portrait Artist Seattle, Hazel Morgan serves portrait clients in Seattle and the surrounding communities. Portraits are shipped directly to your door with professional packaging and full insurance coverage.
How to Commission a Portrait from Seattle
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Seattle, Washington. 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 Seattle, 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 Seattle typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalized Consultation in Seattle
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 Seattle, Washington 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 Seattle 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 Seattle
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 Seattle 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 Seattle. 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 Seattle
Seattle and King County captivate Hazel Morgan in ways that feel deeply connected to her passion for portraiture. What draws Hazel most powerfully is the extraordinary human diversity woven into the fabric of this region — a quality that makes every face a layered story waiting to be told. She is drawn to the cultural energy radiating from neighborhoods like the International District, Capitol Hill, and the Central District, each carrying generations of community identity and resilience. The Seattle Art Museum stands as a beacon of the region's deep commitment to the visual arts, and Hazel admires how institutions like this foster genuine appreciation for portraiture and figurative work among local audiences. The thriving arts corridor along First Hill and Frye Art Museum's dedication to figure painting and portraiture feel particularly resonant with her own creative values, reinforcing her belief that Seattle's people approach art with real seriousness and warmth.
What captivates Hazel about King County extends well beyond the city limits. The natural grandeur framing this region — Mount Rainier's commanding presence on the horizon, the shimmering expanse of Lake Washington, the salt waters of Puget Sound, and the forested ridgelines of the Cascade foothills — creates a population shaped by both rugged beauty and civic thoughtfulness. Hazel admires how community traditions like the Northwest Folklife Festival at Seattle Center and the vibrant Pike Place Market, with its decades-long role as a living gathering place for farmers, artisans, and neighbors, speak to a culture that genuinely values handmade, human-centered work. These traditions tell her that the people she paints in this region understand the meaning of craft and authenticity.
Hazel is also inspired by the creative momentum alive across King County's smaller communities, from Bellevue's growing arts scene anchored by the Bellevue Arts Museum to the historic character of Snoqualmie, with its iconic Snoqualmie Falls drawing wonder year after year. She sees in Seattle and King County a population of people who carry remarkable stories — families shaped by tech innovation, Indigenous heritage, immigrant traditions, and Pacific Northwest pioneering spirit. For Hazel, creating portraits for clients here means honoring that extraordinary depth of human experience in paint.
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 Seattle, Washington.
Request a Free Consultation