What do a bar of soap and Mark Rothko, famous American artist [1903-1970], have in common?

Together, they inspired my series of oceanscape abstract paintings.

Soothing Ocean 2 acrylic painting by Julie Bovee

The soap – a simple bar with two layers of color, a sandy tan and an aqua blue, sitting in a palm tree soap dish in my bathroom. The colors reminded me of the ocean and the soothing effect it has on me.

Rothko – soothing large rectangles of rich, luminous color aligned vertically.

The ocean and the works of Rothko both have a similar soothing effect on me. Combine the two and I find myself working on a series of Soothing Ocean paintings.

The original Soothing Ocean hangs in my bedroom, offering a calming sleep atmosphere. The second, #2 pictured above, resides in my studio at the School of Visual Philosophy and is available for purchase. Soothing Ocean 2 improves upon the original with the addition of white textural hints at ocean surf and motion, softening the delineation between layers, while still remaining strictly abstract with no attempt to paint defined details of an ocean landscape.

Both paintings are highly textured, and in that respect they’re very unlike the smooth Rothko paintings.

I personally prefer Soothing Ocean 2, while my husband prefers the original. I love them both ♥.

The original Soothing Ocean acrylic painting that’s on permanent display in my bedroom.