TOD:
It's difficult to say who my favorite artists are because there are so many whose work I like.
Of those I know personally, my favorite is Jean Weinbaum. Not only is he a close personal friend, but I really like his work. I am fortunate to have his large watercolor, La Mer, in my living room. It's one of his best works--both in my opinion and his. (Another one of his watercolors, War and Peace, was snatched up by a gallery owner and collector before I had a chance to purchase it. But I do love La Mer.) Jean sends little baby watercolors to me from time to time as gifts, which would always get a reaction from my insurance agent when I would add them to my scheduled possessions as "gift from the artist." Jean is a very sweet man.
As for artists I don't know, Turner is one of my favorites. I never cease to be amazed at his work. I love to take in the Turners at the Tate--the Tate Museum in London, that is.
Oh, back to artists I know. If anyone likes realistic figure drawing, you MUST SEE Rob Liberace's work. I took a drawing class from him some years ago. GAWD, he's good!! Friends tell me his work is quite hot these days. I almost bought one of his works some years ago--I'm sure I couldn't afford it now. Lovely, lovely work. And he does it sooo easily. In class, he'd say, "Here, just do this," and in one or two lines convey so much. Well, it just doesn't happen that way when I do it!
I'm not a big fan of impressionism. I've always enjoyed contemporary art, but I also have a huge respect for good realism.