“Inhaling the scent of a water lily at the age of eight in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens was, I believe, the first time I experienced intoxication. The combined beauty and overwhelming fragrance imprinted in my mind forever,” says LA based artist, Stephen Schubert.
This began a journey of exploring Asian principles leading to a fascination with observing, exploring the space between what is and what is about to be.
Captivated by themes of transitions and transformations, my abstracts are created on elevated birch panels and canvas with a technique that includes placing up to 15 layers of paint. I will be dragging a spackle knife, board or other found object over the surface, spraying paint, using bubble wrap, salt, acrylics, chalk and oil sticks, blow torches and water, burning the top surface and other wild approaches, often applying a topcoat of resin. The result of this labor intensive process? A phenomenal vibrancy, great depth of color and surprising imagery.
I have a love of foreign cinema and have been fortunate to attend film festivals around the world, which provide me with stimulation and inspiration from watching different lives on screen as well as experiences from the cities and towns in which the festivals take place.
This all conspires to make me searingly aware of how important it is to connect with others when appropriate, to find commonality and acceptance.
No stranger to television and film sets, Stephen’s work was prominently featured in the Steve Carrell film, “Dinner for Schmucks, “Ballers” and others..” Prior to becoming an artist, Stephen began his career stage acting and was the spokesman for Lincoln Mercury, Macy’s, Playtex and guest anchored on the E! Channel. He was also seen on a classic Seinfeld episode as well as on soaps such as, “One Life to Live”, “A New day in Eden” and guest starred on,”The Facts of Life”. He was in “Waitress”, “Stuck On you” and “Spike of Bensonhurst”.
Specializing in custom work, I love collaborating with clients and designers on projects for high-end residential, hospitality and health care design.
My work has been featured on an upcoming episode of Bravos, “Million Dollar Listing” and
“Selling Sunset”.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

My work is an expression of my experiences with nature, moments of personal growth and a
deep belief that my work is used as a bridge to connect with others and stimulate deeper
emotions.
Sometimes my art evokes natural phenomena-like horizons, water and geological strata
without becoming literal landscapes.
I strive to achieve a balance between abstraction and organic shapes.
I use smooth gradients and pronounced textural effects, often using drips, streaks, dragged
acrylic paint, spray enamel and spackle knives.
This creates a sense of movement and surprising depth, often with a quality of pulsing energy,
inviting viewers to visually “travel” through the surface. This tactile quality of my surfaces
stands out as it interacts with light and color.
I juxtapose tranquil, meditative color fields with energetic almost chaotic marks and swipes. I
am striving for atmospheric depth through smooth gradients with cool and warm tones.
I am moved by nuance which I achieve through how my colors bleed into each other.
My desire is to create evocative, interesting contemporary works that you never tire of viewing.