I love Alex Pardee's work!! I just think it's really unusual and some of his illustrations are really bizarre. I wouldn't say he inspires my work cause its not my kind of style but I still think what he does is great.
You can see more of his work and technique at http://www.eyesuckink.com/
Another illustrator is Sophie Robert, I just really like how they are quite simple butthe technique is quite nice...
You can see more of her work at www.art-dept.com/illustration/whitehurst