Simon Birch

No, not the movie (although I kinda like that too). Simon Birch is a British artist who's style of painting must be one of the most energetic I have ever seen. He states himself that he is influenced by abstarct expressionists like Rothko and Richter and the resulting portraits seem to be bursting with life.
Birch works primarily in Hongkong these days where is is currently exhibiting at the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Science with his show "Laughing with a Mouth Full of Blood".

He showed some pieces at a group exhibition in New York last year and I hope he'll return to the city soon.
In the meantime, check out his website for more info on upcoming shows: http://www.thebirchfoundation.com/