“Mama Universe” by Steve Schappert Abstract Expressionist Masterpiece in a Private Woodbury, CT Collection
This explosive, large-scale painting bursts with swirling reds, fiery yellows, electric greens, and deep cosmic blues against a dramatic black void — pure energy, emotion, and movement captured in poured, dripped, and splattered layers. Classic Abstract Expressionism with Schappert’s unmistakable vibrant signature: the same raw spontaneity and all-over composition that echoes Jackson Pollock, yet feels completely fresh and alive.
“Mama Universe” now commands the grand two-story foyer of a movie producer’s private home in Woodbury, Connecticut. It is literally the first piece every visitor sees upon entering — proudly holding its own in a strong collection that also includes an original work by Alexander Calder.
From a Connecticut studio to a prominent private collection… that’s the reach of Steve Schappert’s art.
If you love this bold, emotional style, you can still see and purchase original Schappert paintings right now at Broad Brook Brewing in Suffield, CT (through The Connecticut Art Gallery). Same fire. Same energy. Much more accessible prices — and you can enjoy a cold craft beer while you decide which one is coming home with you.
Steve Schappert’s work sits firmly in the Abstract Expressionist tradition and is often described as reminiscent of Jackson Pollock’s style—a comparison made directly in outlets like Home & Art Magazine, where his paintings are called “vibrant expressions of emotion and energy” that echo Pollock’s approach.
Core Similarities
Both artists embrace spontaneity, gestural energy, and all-over composition through splatter, drip, and pour techniques. Pollock revolutionized modern art in the 1940s–50s with his “action painting” (dripping industrial enamel paints from cans and sticks onto huge canvases laid on the floor). Schappert achieves a parallel raw vitality with fluid pours and layered splatters that create dynamic movement, texture, and emotional charge.
Here are examples of Schappert’s paintings that show this shared aesthetic:
Notice the cascading drips, interwoven lines, vibrant color bursts, and lack of a single focal point—hallmarks that feel right at home next to Pollock classics like Number 1, 1948 or Autumn Rhythm (Number 30), 1950:
Schappert’s titles (e.g., “Golden Splatter”, “Box of Crayons in the Sun”, “Wild Horses”) often add a layer of suggestion or playfulness, but the works remain open-ended and viewer-driven, much like Pollock’s.
Key Differences
- Scale and Accessibility: Pollock’s masterpieces are monumental (often 8–17 feet wide) and now live in museums or fetch tens of millions at auction. Schappert’s pieces are typically more intimate gallery/home-scale (examples around 24×38″ or wall-sized but not mural-scale), priced accessibly (hundreds of dollars), and designed for everyday enjoyment—some can even be hung in any orientation.
- Context and Process: Pollock was a full-time pioneer in postwar New York, deeply influenced by surrealism, Jungian psychology, and Native American sand painting; his process was performative and physical. Schappert is a multifaceted contemporary creator (real estate broker, gallery owner, poet, and founder of The Connecticut Art Gallery in Thomaston, CT) whose background in construction and systems-building infuses his work with a grounded, resilient energy. He also experiments with AI-assisted pieces inspired by historical oil painters.
- Emotional Flavor: Pollock’s mature drip works feel like pure subconscious rhythm—chaotic yet controlled. Schappert’s add personal, local Connecticut flavor (e.g., titles evoking places, horses, or patriotism) while keeping the explosive freedom.
In short, Schappert isn’t imitating Pollock—he’s channeling the same liberating spirit of Abstract Expressionism into fresh, vibrant, emotionally direct work that’s rooted in his own life and community. If Pollock broke open the canvas with raw energy, Schappert keeps that fire alive in a more approachable, 21st-century way through his gallery and direct sales. His shows (like “Steve Schappert’s Abstract Mind”) let viewers experience that same sense of movement and color explosion up close.
If you’d like a deeper dive into specific pieces, pricing, or even how a particular Schappert painting might pair with a Pollock in terms of vibe, just share more details!
Steve Schappert’s Abstract Explosions: Channeling Jackson Pollock’s Energy in Vibrant, Accessible Masterpieces
Steve Schappert’s bold, gestural drip-and-pour paintings capture the same raw spontaneity and emotional power that made Jackson Pollock a legend—layered colors, dynamic movement, and all-over composition that invite you to get lost in the energy.
These vibrant works are currently on view and available for purchase at Broad Brook Brewing in Suffield, CT, through The Connecticut Art Gallery. Stop by for a cold craft beer, enjoy the lively atmosphere, and take home an original Schappert piece that brings that same Pollock-inspired fire right into your home or office.
Perfect for collectors who love Abstract Expressionism but want fresh, contemporary works at approachable prices—right here in Connecticut!
(Featured pieces rotate, so come see what’s hanging this week at Broad Brook Brewing!)
