Dave McKean is the super grand daddy of digital artists, and I have found him very inspirational when working with digitally manipulated images. Beginning with original paintings, drawings, and photographs, he then wields Photoshop like the powerful art tool God intended it to be! My digital work often follows McKean's lead in both working method and style. Check him out online:

http://www.dreamline.nu/

http://www.colonymedia.co.uk/scrapbook.php?people_id=15

http://www.mckean-art.co.uk/

Below is a McKean example: