The Storm, American Publishing Corp. (APC) 500 pieces

Surrealist illustration of a V-shaped ocean waterfall with birds flying against a backdrop of massive cumulus clouds.

The artwork depicts a surreal, dreamlike scene contained within a circular frame bordered by intricate gold rope or braid patterns. The focal point is a unique body of water that appears to be flowing over a V-shaped waterfall, splitting the dark, rippled sea into two distinct paths. Sharp, dark stone-like pillars emerge from the turbulent water near the crest of the falls, while distant flashes of lightning streak across the horizon, hinting at an approaching storm.

Dominating the upper half of the image are towering, majestic cumulus clouds that glow with bright white and soft lavender hues. The sky fades from a rich cerulean blue at the top to a deep, moody indigo near the horizon line. Several birds are captured in mid-flight against this vast skyscape; a pair of raptors glides prominently in the mid-ground, with one bird seemingly carrying a small object in its talons, while smaller silhouettes of birds are scattered higher up toward the left.

Technically, the piece is a detailed illustration with a smooth, painterly finish that emphasizes clean lines and high-contrast lighting. The composition creates a profound sense of scale and perspective, drawing the viewer's eye along the central watery path toward the mysterious horizon. The mood is both serene and foreboding, blending the quiet beauty of a cloud-filled sky with the dramatic, impossible geography of the divided ocean.

A circular illustration of a stormy sea with dolphins leaping toward a bright opening in the clouds.

This circular illustration depicts a dramatic, ethereal scene where a calm, luminous path through the water leads toward a brilliant opening in a dark, stormy sky. The central focal point is a radiant, golden-white patch of light breaking through towering, dense clouds that dominate the upper half of the image. Several birds, including a pair of raptors, soar through the sky, caught in the transition between the dark, turbulent atmosphere and the welcoming light above.

Below the clouds, the ocean surface is depicted with a surreal, symmetrical geometry. A central wake or path of calm, rippled water stretches toward the horizon, flanked by cresting waves. A pod of dolphins is captured mid-leap, arching out of the water on either side of this path. Tiny flashes of lightning dance along the distant, dark horizon line, contrasting with the serene glow above.

The colour palette transitions from deep, moody indigos and dark teals at the bottom to vibrant, sun-drenched yellows and bright whites in the heart of the cloud formation. The entire scene is framed by an intricate, ornamental border resembling gold braid or rope work on a dark background, giving the image the feel of a decorative porthole or a mystical vision. The style is illustrative and highly detailed, emphasizing dramatic lighting and a sense of magical realism.