Months on Display

Finding a Creative Tempo

Some friends bought a cottage in the Val-des-Mont region of Quebec. An hour or so north of Ottawa. I’ve been able to visit the past few summers and watch them finish their renovation and add some great details to the space and property.

I’m a big fan of the architectural millwork they have done, and their new sauna too.

One smaller detail that jumped out this past summer, was a rather simple calendar.

Individual months printed on a nice heavyweight card and a matte finish, with the photos resting on a brass easel.

So nicely done.

They had done it as a gift for their families

So, it was only natural I got one for my mom and dad for Christmas too.

I set to work in early December, trying to come up with a brief for the curation.

What photos to include? Shall I be in them? Should my parents and brother? What years were allowed? Could it be an archive? Or did it have to be this past year only?

I settled on one photo for each month of 2025 from where I had been. No people, just architecture, landscapes, the sea and vibes. I made on exception with the opening image, technically from last December 2024 but I felt it was a great one to start the year with.

I was quite happy how it turned out. My brother last week thought it was so good I could charge for it!

When I was super disciplined writing these newsletters, the idea of what I would focus on each month was something I would carry with me in my day-to-day. I came to really enjoy having something in my head to focus on in the in-between moments of life and work.

I have more to say on this on my other newsletter which should go out today or this week as well.

I’ve missed having the commitment to creative expressions this past year.

So in addition to writing, I now have my 2027 calendar project to capture in advance too.

All the photos featured are below.

Wish you all a great start to the year,

Jamie