My children would sometimes ask me what was my favorite color? Tough question. Sometimes I would get all philosophical and explain that I loved each color individually, sometimes I would answer the question with a question. Primary? Secondary? Complementary?

“So, is it red, Daddy?”, “Its red, isn’t it!”

At different times they would also ask my favorite artist. Tougher question. There is such a range of styles, effects. Every choice seemed to create a “But, what about me? You used to like me!”

“It’s true, but now you suck, and my mood has swung!” No, I don’t say that. In truth, I have respect for so many artists, but I do love a few. Not just two or three, but a finite list. Not everyone makes the list, not all pieces by the artist makes the list. What I will try to do is free associate and write down the first that comes to mind.

1. Vincent Van Gogh, 1853-1890- everything

Starry Night, can’t get enough of it, studied it, copied it…

2. Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1475-1564- everything

The Last Judgement, so privileged to see the original

3. Salvador Dali, 1904-1989- everything

Dali at the Age of Six When He Thought He Was a Girl Lifting the Skin of the Water to See the Dog Sleeping in the Shade of the Sea (best title ever)

4. Albrecht Durer, 1471-1528- everything

Self portrait, the master, I have completely dissected the German Warrior, search Durer on the blog.

5. Egon Scheile, 1890-1918- most everything

Seated Woman with Bent Knee, oh gosh… wonderful artist, most disturbed person.

6. Michelangelo Caravaggio, 1571-1610- most everything

Supper at Emmaus, another disturbing person 

7. Benjamino Bufano, 1890-1970- most everything

  Bear and Cubs, only artist in this list that I have met.

8. Rembrandt van Rijn, 1606-1669- most everything

Self portrait , the light, the light!

9. Hieronymus Bosch, 1450-1516- selected

Garden of Earthly Delights, how he got funded by the church I am not sure.

10. Mark Rothko, 1903-1970- selected

Confronting Color, floating squares

11. Marcel Duchamp, 1887-1968- selected

Nude Descending Staircase, movement on canvas

12. Hugo Ball, 1886-1927- selected

 Karawane, I know, it’s actually poetry, can’t help it. Check various YouTube videos

13. Claude Monet, 1840-1926- selected

Woman with Parasol, everyone remembers the lilies.

14. Gustav Klimt, 1862-1918  – selected

Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, everyone remembers The Kiss

15. Edvard Munch, 1863-1944- selected

The Scream, most stolen art

16. Johannes Vermeer, 1632-1675- selected

Pearl Earring, shocking good

17. Paul Klee, 1879-1940- selected

Cats, a lifetime to learn to draw like a child

18. Tamara De Lempicka, 1889-1980- selected

Women with gloves, just amazing!

19. El Greco. 1541-1614- selected

Cardinal Guevara, power, influence, scary

20. Francis Bacon, 1909-1992- selected

Screaming Pope, very very scary