My all time favorite is John Singer Sargent. His paintings have that pop factor. He was all about capturing light. If you happen upon one of his paintings in real life, his will draw you in as you study how he pulls it off!
Other English artists are interesting, especially John Castoldi's using the same area of landscape from his growing up years.
I like Pissaro's Impressionist works, the Hudson Valley landscape works of nature since I grew up in the area, even certain Winslow Homer's surrounding the one room schoolhouse era and "Snap the Whip" painting that reminds me of my grandfather riding 7 miles on horseback to his one room schoolhouse where he taught.
