Top 10 Favorite Artists

Inspired by a post by fellow blogger (and artist) Jeffrey Star, I’ve compiled a list of 10 artists (& their works) that inspire me on a daily basis. The following are simply my opinions, so feel free to disagree. =)

10) Honore Daumier / 'Madame Gargantua'

I was first introduced to this artist while in college. My professor coordinated a visit to the Phillips Gallery in DC to see a once in a lifetime collection of Daumier’s drawings and lithographs. This was one of the best gallery shows I’ve been to. Daumier is quintessentially the father of printmaking, and one of the very first caricaturists. Some of his political cartoons were not only well executed, but very witty and clever.



9) Renoir / 'The Boating Party'

I love to paint, but most of my work is very monochromatic. I’ve always admired Renoir’s use of vibrant and bold colors. Renoir is a genius at painting reflected sunlight and shadows.



8) J.W. Waterhouse / 'After the Dance'

Waterhouse isn’t necessarily the most popular painter, but his works still inspiration me. Waterhouse’s paintings are usually very heavy…lots of earth tones. It’s hard to master the use of painting in shades of brown without a painting looking ‘muddy’. Plus, his fantasy based subject matter captures the imagination. Who couldn’t like an artist that paints fairies, mermaids, and sirens?

7. Frida Kahlo / 'Self-Portrait in a Velvet Dress'

Other than Van Gogh, I don’t think there’s another artist that’s more complex than Kahlo. All of Kahlo’s body of work is full symbolism and emotion. Her paintings are her biography…from her horrific accident as a teenager, to her tumultuous marriage with Diego Rivera. Frida was actually quite a beautiful woman – so, I’ve always been intrigued by the fact that she gives herself a uni-brow and mustache. It’s actually a great glimpse into how she saw herself personally – somewhat masculine, and deeply conflicted.



6) Vincent Van Gogh / 'Starry Night'

Let’s face it – Van Gogh was a genius. I get chills even when I see a poster of Starry Night. The use of color, the brush strokes, the emotion….it’s awe inspiring. I could stare at his paintings for hours.


5) Jacques Louis David / 'Napoleon at the Saint-Bernard Pass'

This preeminent French painter was highly admired by French leader Napoleon Bonaparte. In fact, Jacques created many of Napoleon’s famous portraits. I think you’d be surprised at how many famous paintings came from Jacques. I’ve seen “Napoleon at the Saint-Bernard Pass” in person – and the sheer size of the painting is breathtaking. Napoleon definitely had a “god-complex”, and Jacques brilliantly painted him in his royal glory.




4) Leonardo Da Vinci / 'Drawing from The Virgin of the Rocks'

Personally, I believe Da Vinci had far better works than the Mona Lisa. This drawing of his, is exceptional. It’s apparent he studied the human body, and the human face in grave detail. I’m most often drawn to pencil/charcoal drawings, and I’ve always admired Da Vinci’s shading techniques. Da Vinci is simply ‘THE MASTER’ of all things art, invention, and science.





3) Alphonse Mucha / 'The Emerald'

Since pursuing graphic design, Mucha has become one of my biggest inspirations. Mucha is most notably a founding father of Art Nouveau, and the principle inventor of vintage poster design. His use of contour lines is the envy of most illustrators. In ‘The Emerald”, I love how the woman in the foreground is drawn very simply. Lots of loose lines, and simple colors. But the background is incredibly ornate. There’s a surprise in every painting with Mucha, and lots of hidden ornament designs and inscriptions. I have a couple of his posters framed at home.


2) Jan Vermeer / 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'

My favorite piece of Vermeer is his notably his most famous painting (and subject of movies/novels). When I was in high school, a Vermeer exhibit came to The National Gallery of Art. This work by Jan Vermeer spurred me to try and perfect my craft. The entire painting is mesmerizing, but the key piece of this painting is the pearl earring. The pearl’s detailed reflection, and complex colors, is the envy of the most calculated and venerated of artists.




1) * John Singer Sargent / 'Fumee d'Ambre Gris' *

In this painting, Sargent has succeeded in completing probably the most complicated and difficult painting technique – painting ‘white on white’. Obviously this painting is not devoid of color, but it’s his use of various colors to create the illusion of white that’s most phenomenal. I admire everything about Sargent’s works. I envy his portraits, as that’s something I’ve never been able to do. He knew the female form very well, and knew exactly how the folds of clothes and ribbon, and satin fell on a woman’s body. Sargent did a series of paintings in Capri – and viewing them, you feel as though you've traveled with him. ‘Carnation Lily Lily Rose’ is another one of my favorites. It’s large, it’s detailed, and it’s soothing. I really could go on and on about Sargent. I have so many books and posters attributed to this artists I could open my own gift shop. I don’t think Sargent is given enough attention in the art world.