OBZ from OBX, Version 2 (Sunset, Saturday, 27 August 2011)

William Theodore Van Doren, OBZ FROM OBX, VERSION 2 (Sunset from Stony Point, Albemarle County, Va.) Oil on canvas, 16 x 20.

A second shot at “Outer Bands from the Outer Banks” and the strange atmosphere generated by Hurricane Irene.

OBZ from OBX (Sunset, Saturday, 27 August 2011)

William Theodore Van Doren, OBZ FROM OBX (Sunset from Stony Point, Albemarle County, Va.) Oil on watercolor block, 13 x 19.

Outer bands from the Outer Banks.

Hurricanes, even at some distance, create strange atmospheres and bizarre light that can be sick in both senses of the term. This was the middle phase of three surreal skies in quick succession.

Off the Radar (Sunset, Friday, 26 August 2011)

William Theodore Van Doren, OFF THE RADAR (Sunset from Stony Point, Albemarle County, Va.) Oil on watercolor block, 13 x 19.

I tried to locate the two distant bands of blue-gray storm clouds on the National Weather Service radar maps, but even out to West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky, they were nowhere to be found.

Twilight of a Storm (Sunset,Thursday, 25 August 2011)

William Theodore Van Doren, TWILIGHT OF A STORM (Sunset from Stony Point, Albemarle County, Va.) Oil on watercolor block, 13 x 19.

An Unexpected Moment in the Storm (Sunset, Sunday, 14 August 2011)

William Theodore Van Doren, AN UNEXPECTED MOMENT IN THE STORM (Sunset from Stony Point, Albemarle County, Va.) Oil on watercolor block, 13 x 19.

Our big storms still had hours to go when I went out to check the sunset horizon, which I assumed would be a wall of gray. This opening lasted for only another minute. The cloud draped over Piney Mountain really was at least that blue.

Surf’s Up (Sunset, Saturday, 13 August 2011)

William Theodore Van Doren, SURF’S UP (Sunset from Stony Point, Albemarle County, Va.) Oil on watercolor block, 13 x 19.

Storms approaching, enveloping the Blue Ridge – local Piney Mountain’s at right. Surf may have been up, but DSL’s been down, hence the delayed postings, coming to you courtesy of various wi-fi–enabled retail establishments.