There have been several artists' that have changed my view on "art" in general.
I wouldn't have even began art if it wasn't for Van Gogh. When I was young I saw his painting "Starry Night" it really inspired me to become just like him. I went to the High Museum's show on Van Gogh, and took a sketch pad. I was seen sitting down sketching Van Gogh's pieces into the book.
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http://www.moma.org/collection/artist.php?artist_id=2206 here are just some of his masterpieces)
Leonardo Da Vinci also inspired me to do still lifes. His painting "Mona Lisa" inspired me with its raw beauty. I was also inspired by his other works, getting me interested in his machines, which expanded into computer technology, etc.
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http://www.leonardoda-vinci.org/)
I recently found Salvador Dalí. I went to the High's showing of his pieces, and was astounded by his style of art. His abstract pieces stuck out more to me than Picasso's did. "The Persistence of Memory" is one of my favorite Dalí paintings.
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http://www.moma.org/collection/object.php?object_id=79018)
I am a guy. Keeping this in mind, I tell you I love guns (does it not make sense?). So when I see another male creating functioning guns out of everyday paper, I go crazy. This guy (name is not given) has pushed me to creating simple sculptures out of paper (guns being one of these sculptures). He takes paper and glues paper onto it, and after doing this for many layers, the paper becomes as hard as stone. He uses a sharp razor to cut the paper into the correct shapes and then attaches it to the proper location on the gun.
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http://www.youtube.com/tacome1942)
Another man by the name of Grainger McCoy also inspires me with his amazing sculptures. His wooden birds replicate the fluidness and grace of a live bird. I went to his High Museum showing, and was shown the complexity of wooden sculptures. The slow process to make these works of art inspires me.
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http://www.high.org/Art/Exhibitions/Grainger-McKoy.aspx)