Commissions and FAQ

Portrait Sittings and Bespoke Books

Portrait Sittings can be commissioned directly, or as a gift for someone else. A session takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, at the end of which you will receive the original handwritten page. After the session, I will pick out materials inspired by our moment together and craft one of the custom made presentation folders you can see on my website. If you prefer to frame the portrait yourself, you have the option of purchasing without the folder for a discounted price. If you are in Paris, or if I am coming through your city on one of my tour stops, you can write me to book an in-person session. I am also able to travel specifically for a sitting, if travel expenses are covered. If it is not possible to arrange an in-person sitting, we can discuss arranging one by video call.

Handwritten portrait + custom folder 450€

Handwritten portrait without folder 350€

Get in touch to commission a portrait at info@jasonstoneking.com

If you have any questions, there is a FAQ list below, and if ever I haven't covered it, don't hesitate to get in touch!

Q: Will you talk to me, or ask me questions during the sitting? A: No. I prefer that we mostly don't speak to each other during the process. It is important for me to concentrate on my observations, and the words they inspire me to choose.
Q: What do I do while you're writing my portrait? A: Anything you want! I've watched people work, read, dance, play sports, take a nap, make their own art. You are absolutely free to do anything you feel like doing, or anything you would like to be seen doing. The only thing I ask is that you remain more-or-less in view, so that I can continue to observe without having to be in constant motion myself. It is ok, though, if we switch rooms or settings once or twice during the session.
Q: What should I wear? A: Again, anything you want. You can be in formal wear, gym clothes, a work uniform, anything that you feel expresses who you are. I've even been commissioned to write a nude!
Q: Where will the session take place? A: It's entirely up to you. A place that inspires you, or where you feel comfortable, or where you like to imagine yourself. It can be indoors, outdoors, in private or public. I've even written a few remotely over a video call. The only thing I don't like to do is write outdoors in the rain, as it can be difficult to protect the paper and ink. But if you have an outdoor request, and weather is a concern, I'm sure we can find a solution.
Q: Do you ever say negative things about people? A: No. It doesn't interest me at all to criticize or judge anyone. My aim is to witness with empathy, and to find the poetry in each person I observe.
Q: Will you write about my appearance? A: Not much. I sometimes briefly mention the outfit someone chose, or the way they've done their hair. But mostly I'm interested in observing the way they move, the vibe they give off, the context around them, and the energy of being in the space with them.
Q: How can you write about people you don't even know? A: I watch during the session, trying to pick up clues to the person's mood or interests. Their way of being. What I find most exciting is to capture someone on a single moment and try to reflect what they are conveying with their activities and their body language. This is actually harder with people I know well, because I have too much information from outside the moment. I find the project must richer when I have the opportunity to write about total strangers. This is when I really have to open my eyes and search for the bridge of empathy between us.
Q: Will other people get to read my portrait? A: Only if you want them to! At the end of our session you will be presented with the original handwritten manuscript that I have just drafted in your presence. So you will have the only copy of the text. It will be totally up to you whether you would like it to be shared with others. Some people have allowed me to read their portraits at events, photograph them for magazines, or show them in gallery shows, but other people have chosen to keep their portraits completely private, and that it absolutely ok as well.
Q: Can other people join me for the sitting? A: Yes, definitely. If you would like to have your portrait written while you are in the company of friends, loved ones, your partner, your pet, they are all absolutely welcome. But keep in mind that I will probably also mention them in the text!

Bespoke Books can be commissioned by an individual, organization, or institution. They can be written for a live performance, in documentation of a residency, to mark a special occasion, or for private consumption. Each book is written on demand, by hand, in a single draft, and therefore will always reflect the time and place in which it is written, but you can request a book on a theme. Whoever commissions or acquires a Bespoke Book will then possess the only physical copy of that text.

Bespoke Book + Performance (for galleries, institutions, venues, reading series) 500€

Bespoke Book for private consumption or gift 350€

If you are a performance venue that would like me to write something specifically for your event, but do not have a budget to acquire the book, this can be negotiated as well. I would simply keep the book to sell later on my website.

Get in touch with any questions or proposals at info@jasonstoneking.com

To see pre-existing Bespoke Books for sale, click here .

Q: Is your handwriting legible? A: Yes. I write in a clear, printed style. Not in cursive.
Q: What will the book be about? A: I write my thoughts about a given moment in time, so where I am and what I'm doing will be the main source I draw on for inspiration. This is how I keep each text feeling fresh, immediate, and crafted on demand. I can also incorporate themes for specific occasions on request. My reflections blend of observation, vulnerability, philosophy, and humor. For a better idea of my style, you can watch videos of my readings from Bespoke Books on my YouTube channel.
Q: Do you make drafts or notes? A: No. The book you receive will be the original, handwritten, first and only draft of the text.
Q: What do you do when you make mistakes in the writing? A: I take my time to make sure my writing is legible, correct, and well thought-out. It's very rare that I make a terrible mistake, but if I do I either leave it there or cross it out and keep going. In either case, you still get the only draft, errors and all.
Q: Do you make a copy or keep a record for yourself? A: Nope. There is only ever one copy, the original handwritten draft. Once I part with it, I don't have a record of it anymore, unless I've performed it and the performance has been filmed, in which case the audio might exist on YouTube. But I don't ever make any physical copies outside the original unique object. The book you get will be one of a kind.
Q: Can I order a book for someone other than myself? A: No problem. Just let me know whom I should address the book to, and any relevant information you'd like me to have about who they are, or why you're commissioning a book for them.
Q: Can I suggest a theme for you to write about? A: Absolutely. I have been asked to write a book welcoming a newborn baby, a book saying farewell to a dying relative, a book documenting my experience of an art fair, and a book encouraging a young adult to pursue their dreams. I explore these themes from my own angle, via my own experiences, but I am certainly able to write something for a specific occasion. Just get in touch to let me know what you have in mind!
Q: Can I ask you to write on a specific day or special occasion? A: Sure, why not? As long as I have enough notice to reserve the time. If you have a special request that you're not sure about, feel free to get in touch.
Q: Will this writing ever be published? A: If you buy a Bespoke Book, you will own the only copy of it, and it will therefore be up to you to decide whether it is ever typed, shared, published, etc. You have the right to share the text publicly if you wish, as long as you credit me as the author. You can also keep the text private if you prefer. As you will possess the only copy, it can never be printed or distributed (by me or anyone else) except by your request and permission. Although, if a book has already been performed, there might be a video of the performance online.
Q: Can I publish your writing under my own name? A: No, that's the one thing you can't do. You can print it, display it, copy it, share it, publish it, authorize its use by others (with my authorship attached), and even sell it for a profit and keep the money. The only thing you can't do is pass it off as someone else's writing. My name gets to follow it around. But look at the bright side... I also get all the blame :).
Q: Are all Bespoke Books the same length? A: There is a standard length of 16 pages that correlates to the prices I advertise, and the length of my recent Bespoke performances. But I am happy to adjust to a customized length based on your needs and provide you with a quote.
Q: How do you pick the color and paper for the cover? A: I choose them based on how I am inspired by the moment, the place, or the subject matter I'm writing about. But someone who is commissioning a book also has the option of letting me know if there is a color or concept they'd like me to bear in mind.

Do you have a question I haven't covered here? If so, let me know and I will add it to the FAQ list!