Commissioning a Portrait in Dakota County
Hazel Morgan is a portrait artist serving clients across Dakota County. With more than 40 years of fine art expertise, she creates hand-painted oil portraits that are treasured as family heirlooms, corporate centrepieces, and lasting memorials. Her work has been commissioned by private collectors, universities, corporations, and public institutions throughout the region.
Clients in Dakota County benefit from Hazel’s established process for working with distant sitters. Whether you prefer to supply photographs or arrange a sitting, every portrait receives the same meticulous attention to detail that has earned Hazel recognition from prestigious art societies on both sides of the Atlantic.
Portrait Painting Services Available in Dakota County
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 Dakota County Area
As your trusted Portrait Artist Dakota County, Hazel Morgan serves portrait clients in Dakota County and the surrounding communities. Portraits are shipped directly to your door with professional packaging and full insurance coverage.
Portrait Services in Dakota County Communities
- Portrait Artist Eagan | Dakota County, Minnesota | Commission a Portrait
- Portrait Artist Burnsville | Dakota County, Minnesota | Commission a Portrait
- Portrait Artist Apple Valley | Dakota County, Minnesota | Commission a Portrait
- Portrait Artist Rosemount | Dakota County, Minnesota | Commission a Portrait
- Portrait Artist Inver Grove Heights | Dakota County, Minnesota | Commission a Portrait
- Portrait Artist Farmington | Dakota County, Minnesota | Commission a Portrait
- Portrait Artist Lakeville | Dakota County, Minnesota | Commission a Portrait
How to Commission a Portrait from Dakota County
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Dakota County. 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 Dakota County, 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 Dakota County typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalized Consultation in Dakota County
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 Dakota County 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 Dakota County 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 Dakota County
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 Dakota County 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 Dakota County. 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 Dakota County
Dakota County, MN carries a quiet, grounded beauty that Hazel finds deeply compelling as a portrait artist. What captivates Hazel about this region is the way its communities blend natural richness with genuine human connection — the kind of authenticity that translates powerfully into portraiture. The LeDuc Historic Estate in Hastings, with its Gothic Revival architecture and storied past, speaks to Hazel of the layered histories that Dakota County families carry with them, the kind of generational depth she loves to honor in a painted portrait. The Minnesota River, which winds along the county's western edge, and the stunning Mississippi River bluffs near Hastings lend the landscape a dramatic, unhurried quality that Hazel admires — a reminder that the people rooted here are shaped by something enduring and elemental. Cottage Grove, Apple Valley, Eagan, and Lakeville each bring their own character, yet all share that same sense of community pride that makes Dakota County such a meaningful place to celebrate through art.
Hazel is also drawn to the rich civic and cultural life that pulses through Dakota County's communities. The Dakota County Fair, held annually in Farmington, represents exactly the kind of wholehearted local tradition that Hazel finds so moving — families gathering year after year, building memories that deserve to be preserved. Burnsville's Heart of the City district and the vibrant programming at the Ames Center reflect a community that genuinely invests in the arts and in coming together. Hazel admires how the Hastings Downtown Historic District maintains its 19th-century charm while remaining a living, breathing part of everyday life, with seasonal events and farmers markets that draw generations of residents back to the same familiar streets and storefronts.
For Hazel, portrait work is ultimately about honoring the stories people carry and the places that have shaped them. Dakota County's residents possess a warmth and rootedness that she finds profoundly inspiring — people who take pride in their homes, their families, and their communities in ways that shine through in a portrait sitting. Whether capturing a family surrounded by memories of summers at Lebanon Hills Regional Park or marking a milestone for a longtime Lakeville resident, Hazel approaches each Dakota County commission with genuine reverence for the life and landscape behind every face she paints.
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 Dakota County.
Request a Free Consultation