Help me pick an artist to study-- it's for a beginers art appreciation cl... read on!?

I'm in a college level beginners art appreciation cl. We are to pick an artist to study during the course of this summer semester and apply what we learn towards evaluating the particular artist we choose, and compile a mive paper--- which will be the majority of my grade. I'm totally illiterate when it comes to art-- can you please help me-- give me some suggestions on what may be some simpler artists to study, and who are well know! Thank you for your help!! I really appreciate it!