I recently rediscovered the paintings of Alice Neel. I have always enjoyed portraits, and I think that Alice communicates fascinating emotional states in her work. There is a great biography of her: http://www.aliceneelfilm.com/
Phoebe Hoban: Alice Neel, The Art of Not Sitting Pretty
http://blip.tv/2011-arts-and-culture-lectures/phoebe-hoban-alice-neel-the-art-of-not-sitting-pretty-4827216
