Commissioning a Portrait in Palo Alto, California
If you are looking for a portrait artist in Palo Alto, Hazel Morgan offers a truly personal fine art service to clients throughout Palo Alto, California 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 Palo Alto or in the wider Santa Clara County, CA 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 Palo Alto
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.
Palo Alto Area
Hazel Morgan serves portrait clients in Palo Alto and the surrounding communities. Portraits are shipped directly to your door with professional packaging and full insurance coverage.
How to Commission a Portrait from Palo Alto
Commissioning a portrait from Hazel Morgan is a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of where you are located in Palo Alto, California. 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 Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto typically receive their portrait within one to two weeks of completion.
Get in Touch for a Personalized Consultation in Palo Alto
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 Palo Alto, California 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 Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto
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 Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto. 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 Palo Alto
Palo Alto sits at the heart of one of the most intellectually vibrant and culturally layered communities in the United States, and Hazel is genuinely captivated by the depth of character that defines this remarkable corner of Santa Clara County. What draws her most is the way innovation and humanistic tradition coexist so naturally here — from the world-renowned research culture surrounding Stanford University to the thoughtful, creative energy that pulses through neighborhoods like Professorville, one of California's first historic districts. Hazel admires how the Palo Alto Weekly Moonlight Run & Walk and the beloved Palo Alto Festival of the Arts bring the community together in celebration, reflecting a population that values both achievement and connection. That combination of intellectual curiosity and genuine warmth is something Hazel finds deeply meaningful when crafting portraits — because the people who commission her work carry that same richness in their expressions and life stories.
The natural and cultural landscape of the broader Santa Clara County region inspires Hazel in equally powerful ways. She is drawn to the serene beauty of the San Francisco Bay shoreline along the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve, one of the largest remaining stretches of marshland on the bay, where the quality of light and open sky create a sense of calm reflection. The Palo Alto Farmers Market, held weekly on California Avenue, speaks to a community deeply invested in local life and seasonal rhythms — the kind of grounded, present-tense living that Hazel believes shows up in a person's face and bearing. Nearby, the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford houses an extraordinary collection that spans centuries and cultures, and Hazel admires how institutions like this shape the aesthetic sensibilities of everyone who grows up or settles in this area.
Ultimately, what makes creating portraits for Palo Alto and Santa Clara County clients so meaningful to Hazel is the understanding that these individuals exist within a community defined by both aspiration and authenticity. Whether a family rooted in the tree-lined streets of Old Palo Alto or professionals drawn by the energy of Silicon Valley's innovation corridor along El Camino Real, each subject brings a story shaped by an extraordinary place — and Hazel considers it a privilege to honor that story 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 Palo Alto, California.
Request a Free Consultation