I don't understand that. Is it really that uncommon to not know any smaller artists who aren't personal friends...??
I know of hundreds...theoretically. On DeviantArt alone I watch 455 people, and I know for a fact that a good chunk of those watches are other underappreciated artists, because that's one of the main reasons I decide to follow people: feeling that they actually need my attention, or at least would appreciate the bump in their statistics.
Anyway, here's one of my favorites: @rienlen on Twitter, and just 'rienlen' on Tumblr and DA
And because this small selection can't possibly be enough, here is a gallery link: https://www.deviantart.com/rienlen/gallery
It's crazy because, at the time when I started following their work, we were more or less on the same level. ^^ But in the short time that I've known them, they've progressed so much without me...if they DID get the recognition they deserve, I'd probably be insanely jealous. ^^; Not enough to stop following them, though...all their work is just so cool, and it's exactly the kind of thing I want to do.
Every year their art seems to get more dynamic, more passionate, more beautiful with color and lighting...and their characters are really interesting, that's one of the main reasons I decided to watch them. They do short comics every once in a while, but as far as I know they don't have a big one yet that actually covers the whole story...I don't know if they will ever start one, but if they do I'm sure it'll be the best thing ever, and I'm willing to wait until the day I die.
