Life on both the home and work fronts has been generally super busy. Entries here have been far and few between for many months. I’ve lost count. Sometimes I get in the habit of just going. You know the kind of going that takes a person from one task to the next without pause.

Well, this afternoon a big old pause popped up right in front of my new office and studio space in Fargo’s SoMA District [South of Main Avenue]. A silver SUV flipped over in the east bound lane of Main Avenue not far from my door. The driver’s vehicle went up on the curb, hit a tree and flipped, according to bystanders. He was conscious at the scene and taken to a local hospital. After hearing a bit of a commotion, I’d grabbed both my cell phone and 5D classic on my way to find out what was going on. Photographing as firefighters freed the man seemed like the natural thing to do – although I’m not sure what purpose the resulting pictures serve. The experience reminded me how quickly life can change and how everything can come to an abrupt stop. I’m off to collect my son from school, planning to drive carefully and intent on taking pause.

Thanks for looking and I’ll be back soon. – Ann

During the past 13 months I’ve accepted a number of assignments with Minnesota Public Radio News to photograph what’s become an ongoing labor dispute between American Crystal Sugar and 1,300 union workers. The company has five processing plants in the Red River Valley. The one-year anniversary of the lockout is today and my guess is no one is celebrating. Photographs from past demonstrations and the morning of the lockout were shared previously on my journal. More recently I photographed the exterior of the processing plant in Moorhead, Minn., and also briefly passed through Hillsboro, N.D., which is home to another plant. Some of those photographs are featured here, while others were created several months ago. A story by MPR reporter Dan Gunderson aired a few days ago and is available online here.

Thanks for looking, Ann

Posts have been few and far between over the past few months. Let’s chalk it up to an ongoing flurry of editorial and commercial assignments as well as the general busyness of wedding season. Yesterday, I found myself in East Grand Forks, Minn., on assignment for Minnesota Public Radio News. I made some pictures to illustrate an upcoming story as well as the photograph above. I like it and am sharing it before I forget. Thanks for looking. – Ann

A few months back I shared a few images from an outing to Red Goose Gardens outside Shelly, Minn., and talked about my vision for an upcoming call for entry. Well, I’m happy to share that my proposal was accepted and I will be one of five local artists and four groups participating in The Arts Partnership’s inaugural Community Supported Arts project. The concept mirrors that of food-based CSAs except those purchasing a share receive an assortment of original art.

For more information about the project and those involved, check out The Arts Partnership‘s website or read an article published in the local newspaper. Word on facebook is shares are selling fast. Last time I checked just 20 of the initial 50 shares remained available. At just $300 per share, it’s definitely a great deal for anyone who enjoys art and wants to support local artists.

In the meantime, I’ll leave you with a photograph from last week’s farm outing. I spent seven glorious hours exploring, photographing and considering. I’m headed back to the farm in a few short weeks and can’t wait to see the collection of photographs grow and evolve.

Thanks for looking. – Ann

I’m a huge fan of the Plains Art Museum here in Fargo, N.D. Maybe it’s the beautiful space [hard wood floors meets high ceilings and lots of windows]. Maybe it’s the location [downtown Fargo where I spend most of my waking hours]. Maybe it’s the fabulous art and educational programs [you have read about vermin right!?].

In a few short weeks I will have not one, but two photographs on display at the museum as part of two different shows. “Town Hall, 2011″ [pictured above] will be included in a silent art auction as part of the 2012 Spring Gala. The annual auction always features a host of local and regional artists. The gala is set for the evening of Saturday, May 5 and tickets are on sale now. Proceeds from the event benefit the museum’s educational programs.

“Hamburger Meats, 2010″ [pictured below] is currently on display in the first floor gallery as part of the Art the Plains XI exhibition. I’m excited to be one of 48 artists from four states included in the show. AOP is in its 11th year and this is the third time my work has been featured in an AOP show [not bad considering I've only applied four times]. This year’s exhibition is up until the end of May.

If you happen to be at the Spring Gala, I’d love to say hello. The Internet is great and all, but I like people, real people better. Best, Ann