I'm trying to recall the name of an artist that tended to paint
portraits of auburn-haired females.  His work was likely from c.
18th-19th century, in an Impressionist style (it reminds me of Vermeer
or Rembrandt).  I don't think he'd be considered a classic artist, as
when I saw his work it was selling for $3000 and up. It's not by
Cassatt or Modigliani, and for some reason I feel like either his
first or last name started with an "M" or an "E", though I may be
mistaken.  Any help is appreciated.

I was thinking more along the lines of the Pre-Raphaelites, a
nineteenth century group of British artists.  See, for example:

The Art of Being a Redhead
http://home.att.net/~r.s.mccain/red1.html

Mentioned on that page is a prominent Pre-Raphaelite whose last name
begins with "M" and middle name begins with "E": Sir John Everett
Millais.

Millais seems one good suggestion.  I tend to think that you are
recalling a painting by one of the English Pre-Raphaelite artists.

Perhaps Edward Burne-Jones:
http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/database/art.asp?aid=72

Or Dante Gabriel Rossetti  (English Pre-Raphaelite)

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/rossetti_dante_gabriel.html

He painted many red or auburn haired women.
Any original paintings by any of these artists will be way, way above
$3000 in price.

Let us know what you think, Myoarin

Unfortunately, it's not any of the ones listed...thanks for the attempts, though.  

Any other comments are appreciated. 

Thanks.

Renior, perhaps?  Search Google Images.

Thanks very much, but Renoir is pretty well-known.  I looked at the
style, which is similar to the artist I'm seeking, but he definitely
wasn't as famous as Renoir.

(I know in a few months the name will pop into my head, but it the
meantime this is really bugging me)

Frederic Leighton created some beautiful paintings of redheaded women.

http://images.google.com/images?q=frederic+leighton

Are you thinking of Titian?

- Hammer

In case anyone's interested, I finally remembered the name of the
artist:  Jean-Jacques Henner.  Thanks for all of the suggestions,
though.

Yes, thank you, Grace, and yes, very redheaded  - brought out nice flesh tones ...