hungry painter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hungry painter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a painter who is literally hungry or metaphorically to suggest a painter who is eager or passionate about their work. Example: "The hungry painter spent hours in the studio, driven by a relentless desire to create."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A lot". "Money in advance," the hungry painter said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But now the hungry, wet, homeless painter was dragging himself along the streets, ignoring the foggy air and the damp iridescent walls.

The New Yorker

What's most striking is not how incongruous these images of this particular block are but how hungry television producers, filmmakers, photographers, painters, curators and just about everybody else connected to art or entertainment seem to be for images of it, of the neighborhood, of all of New York City.

The New York Times - Arts

Some collectors who had started with painters like Picasso and Braque grew hungry for a flesh-and-blood curve after a while, and presently found themselves with the travelling Bouguereau.

The New Yorker

Becoming Picasso is the story of the Spanish painter's arrival – brash, determined and hungry for the bohemian life – in the French capital in 1901.

Independent

"You hungry?" a blimp of a female wrapped in numerous shawls inquired of the poor painter.

The New Yorker

Anyone who's watched the 16th-century Italian painter Moroni gradually reaching centre stage at the National Gallery over the years will have been hungry for this show.

The Guardian - Arts

I know a painter who has spent decades producing extraordinary work and who is still attentive to every hair, hungry for light, colour, exposure to new work, to photography, to the seen world and its suggestions of the unseen.

The Guardian - Books

In 1905 Rousseau was invited to the Salon d'Automne (a semiofficial exhibition created after a schism among the academicians), where his painting The Hungry Lion (1905) was hung in the same room as the works of the group of avant-garde painters known as the Fauves ("Wild Beasts")—Henri Matisse, André Derain, and Maurice de Vlaminck.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The painter?

The Guardian

The painter, who lives in Havana, has remained largely unknown to international art circles, despite gallerists, curators, and collectors scouring the island, hungry to "discover" Cuban artists.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hungry painter", consider whether you intend a literal or figurative meaning. If literal, ensure the context makes this clear. If figurative, use it to convey a strong desire, ambition, or need related to the painter's work or success.

Common error

Avoid using "hungry painter" in contexts where it could be misconstrued as a literal description of the artist's physical state rather than their ambition or need. Ensure the surrounding text provides enough context to understand the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hungry painter" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "hungry" modifies the noun "painter". Ludwig shows the phrase can be interpreted literally or metaphorically, describing a painter who is either actually hungry or ambitious and eager for success.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hungry painter" is a grammatically sound phrase that can be used literally to describe a painter experiencing hunger or figuratively to represent an ambitious, driven, or needy artist. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears primarily in news and media sources and may be more suitable for creative or descriptive contexts than formal writing. When using this phrase, consider the potential for misinterpretation and ensure that the context clarifies your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starving artist

Implies financial hardship and a strong desire for recognition and success.

eager painter

Highlights the painter's enthusiasm and eagerness to create.

ambitious artist

Replaces "hungry" with a direct synonym for ambition, focusing on the artist's drive.

painter driven by passion

Emphasizes the internal motivation and strong feelings that fuel the painter's work.

aspiring painter

Focuses on the painter's desire to achieve success and recognition.

painter yearning for success

Expresses a strong desire for achievement in the field of painting.

ambitious painter seeking recognition

Combines ambition with the desire for recognition, creating a more detailed picture.

artist with a burning desire to create

Focuses on the intense creative drive and passion of the artist.

needy painter

Emphasizes the painter's lack of resources or support.

artist craving recognition

Highlights the artist's desire for acknowledgement and appreciation.

FAQs

What does it mean to describe someone as a "hungry painter"?

The phrase "hungry painter" can have two meanings. Literally, it describes a painter who is experiencing hunger. Figuratively, it suggests a painter who is ambitious, driven, or in need of recognition or resources.

What are some alternative phrases for "hungry painter" that emphasize ambition?

Alternatives that emphasize ambition include "ambitious artist", "aspiring painter", or a painter driven by passion.

How can I use "hungry painter" in a sentence?

You might say, "The "hungry painter" worked tirelessly, hoping to make a name for himself" or "The gallery owner was always on the lookout for the next "hungry painter", eager to discover new talent."

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "hungry painter" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "hungry painter" might be more suitable for creative or informal contexts. In formal writing, consider more direct and less metaphorical alternatives such as "ambitious artist" or "artist seeking recognition".