Commissioning a Portrait in Story County
Hazel Morgan is a portrait artist serving clients across Story 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 Story 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 Story 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 Story County Area
As your trusted Portrait Artist Story County, Hazel Morgan serves portrait clients in Story County and the surrounding communities. Portraits are shipped directly to your door with professional packaging and full insurance coverage.
Portrait Services in Story County Communities
How to Commission a Portrait from Story County
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Story 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 Story 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 Story County typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalized Consultation in Story 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 Story 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 Story 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 Story 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 Story 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 Story 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 Story County
Story County, Iowa carries a distinctive energy that Hazel finds deeply compelling for her portrait work — a blend of academic vitality, agricultural heritage, and genuine Midwestern warmth that she believes shows up in the faces of the people who call this place home. At the heart of the county sits Ames, a city shaped in large part by Iowa State University, whose campus along Lincoln Way brings together artists, scientists, students, and lifelong community members in a way that produces remarkably expressive, thoughtful subjects. Hazel is drawn to the way Ames balances intellectual curiosity with down-to-earth humility — qualities she finds herself trying to capture in every portrait she creates for clients here. The Octagon Center for the Arts on Douglas Avenue is a particular source of inspiration for Hazel, representing a community genuinely invested in nurturing creative life, while the Ames Main Street Farmers Market, held along the historic downtown corridor each summer, reflects the county's deep agricultural roots and the pride residents take in their local traditions.
What captivates Hazel about Story County extends well beyond Ames itself. The Skunk River winds through the county's quieter eastern stretches, and the landscape along it — open, honest, and unhurried — mirrors the character of many of the clients she works with here. Nevada, the county seat, carries its own understated charm, with its courthouse square and small-town civic pride that speak to generations of steady community investment. Hazel admires the way Story County residents seem genuinely connected to where they live, whether they are tied to the Iowa State University Research Park's innovative spirit or the long-running tradition of the CYCLOnes athletic culture that unites neighbors across generations. These layers of identity — agricultural, academic, civic — give her portrait subjects a richness and authenticity that makes each commission feel genuinely meaningful.
Hazel believes that a great portrait reflects not just a face but a life lived within a specific place and community. Story County, with its blend of the Ames Art Museum's cultural programming, the quiet beauty of Ada Hayden Heritage Park, and the strong sense of belonging that runs through every corner of the county, gives her an abundance of that contextual richness to draw from. Clients here tend to carry their community with them, and for Hazel, that makes the work of capturing them in portraiture both a privilege and a creative joy.
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 Story County.
Request a Free Consultation