"Before the Storm" (Oceanna) is a slight departure from Michelle's typically vibrant color palette. Nevertheless, the evocation of emotion and reminiscence is palpable in the darker tones of this piece. One can feel the temperature dropping as the skies grow angry. The windswept sands sting your legs as you watch white-capped waves crash and roil in the ocean. You cast a furtive glance toward the path you took to access the beach, trying to gauge how much time you might have to reach the car. A low rumble of not too distant thunder is a final warning as the storm quickly approaches.

This piece pairs nicely with "Beach Storm".