Artists On Ambition

10 Artists Share Their Thoughts On Ambition

Ambition can mean something different to every artist. For some, it is the desire to create something that has never been seen before. For others, it is the determination to keep learning, to be recognized for their work, or to follow an idea even when the path ahead is uncertain.

Being an artist often means having to believe in something before anyone else can see it. It means making time for ideas, taking creative risks, and finding the courage to keep going when progress feels slow. Sometimes, ambition is about reaching a particular milestone. At other times, it is simply about refusing to give up on the work you feel called to make.

But how do artists themselves think about ambition? What have some of the most interesting creative minds said about wanting more, pushing boundaries, and pursuing their goals?

We have gathered ten quotes from artists whose words offer different perspectives on ambition. Whether you are working towards your first exhibition, building a creative career, or simply trying to give yourself permission to dream bigger, we hope these words encourage you to keep moving forward.

1. Vincent van Gogh: Put Your Whole Heart Into What You Do

“I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.”

Vincent van Gogh’s words capture a kind of ambition that goes beyond wanting to be successful. For him, being an artist meant giving himself completely to the work, continuing to search, and staying committed to what he believed in. His letters reveal an artist who was constantly learning, experimenting, and trying to find his place in the world of art.(no title)

Van Gogh’s journey was not an easy one, and his work did not receive widespread recognition during his lifetime. Yet, he continued to paint and develop his artistic voice. His words remind us that ambition is not always about knowing exactly where we are going. Sometimes, it is about caring enough to keep searching and putting our whole heart into the journey.

2. Berthe Morisot: Find Beauty In The Smallest Things

“My ambition is limited to capturing something transient.”

For French Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot, ambition was not necessarily about becoming the most celebrated artist or creating the largest body of work. Her words reveal a much more personal aspiration: capturing the fleeting beauty of everyday life.

Morisot was particularly interested in ordinary moments, domestic settings, gardens, and the people around her. Through her paintings, she found ways to preserve moments that might otherwise have passed unnoticed. Her approach reminds us that ambition does not have to look grand from the outside. An artist can have a deeply meaningful goal simply by wanting to see the world differently and share that vision with others.

3. Judy Chicago: Dream Of Making Work That Matters

“The ambition to make work of meaning, that could transcend the time in which you lived and could speak for the unspoken for.”

Judy Chicago has spent much of her career challenging the way women are represented and remembered in art history. As an artist, educator, and pioneer of feminist art, she has consistently explored questions of identity, history, and women’s experiences.

In an oral history interview with the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art, Chicago spoke about the ambition to create work that could reach beyond its own time and give expression to stories that had not been heard. It is a powerful way of thinking about an artistic career. Instead of measuring success only through exhibitions or recognition, her words encourage artists to consider what they want their work to contribute to the world.

4. Veronica Fernandez: Find Your Own Version Of Ambition

“I’d rather try and fail than not try at all.”

Contemporary painter Veronica Fernandez offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to be ambitious as an artist. In her conversation with The Creative Independent, she discusses motivation, building a career, and finding a way to keep creating even when success does not come easily.

Fernandez believes that ambition should not be measured against someone else’s career or achievements. Every artist has a different background, set of circumstances, and creative journey. What works for one person may not work for another, and that is perfectly fine.

Her words are a lovely reminder that we do not need to have everything figured out before taking the next step. Trying something new, applying for an exhibition, experimenting with an unfamiliar medium, or sharing our work with a new audience can all be meaningful acts of ambition.

5. Duane Michals: Give Yourself Permission To Want More

“You have to have an ambition, of course.”

Photographer Duane Michals has an interesting way of looking at ambition. In an oral history interview with the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art, he spoke about the importance of having aspirations and not simply accepting the circumstances life has handed you.

Michals reflected on how ambition had helped him move beyond the limitations of his early life. At the same time, he acknowledged that ambition needs balance. He did not believe in being consumed by the constant pursuit of recognition or commercial success.

For artists, this is an important distinction. Wanting to grow, exhibit your work, reach new audiences, or build a sustainable creative career is nothing to feel guilty about. Ambition can give us direction, but it should not take away the joy of making art in the first place.

6. Georgia O’Keeffe: Do Not Let Fear Decide For You

“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life – and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.”

Georgia O’Keeffe is remembered for her distinctive paintings of flowers, landscapes, and the American Southwest. Throughout her career, she developed a visual language that was unmistakably her own, refusing to let other people’s expectations dictate how she should paint.

This quote offers a particularly honest perspective on ambition. We often imagine that ambitious people are naturally confident and never question their decisions. O’Keeffe’s words suggest otherwise. Fear can exist alongside determination, and uncertainty does not necessarily mean we should stop moving forward.

For artists who are hesitant about sharing their work, pursuing opportunities, or exploring a direction that feels unfamiliar, her words offer a little encouragement. You do not have to wait until you feel completely fearless to pursue something you care about.

7. Tschabalala Self: Hard Work Is Never Wasted

“I think that putting in the work is never a waste of time.”

Tschabalala Self is an American artist known for her expressive paintings and mixed-media works exploring the representation of the Black female body. Her practice brings together painting, textiles, collage, and other materials to create distinctive compositions.

In her conversation with The Creative Independent, Self discusses the importance of hard work and the commitment required to develop an artistic practice. Her perspective is a useful reminder that not every studio session needs to result in a finished masterpiece. Sometimes, the hours spent experimenting, making mistakes, learning a new technique, or revisiting an old idea are just as important as the finished work.

Ambition is often built through these quieter moments. Even when nobody is watching, every bit of effort contributes to the artist we are becoming.

8. Ragnar Kjartansson: Focus On Making Meaningful Work

“I’m really ambitious in making them shine, for what they are.”

Icelandic contemporary artist Ragnar Kjartansson has an interesting perspective on ambition. Known for his performances, installations, paintings, and video works, he often explores repetition, emotion, humour, and the relationship between art and everyday life.

In an interview with The Creative Independent, Kjartansson makes a distinction between wanting to become famous and wanting to create something genuinely interesting. He describes the latter as a healthier kind of ambition, one that keeps the focus on the work itself rather than the desire to become a big name.

His words encourage artists to think about what they are really working towards. Recognition can be lovely, but the desire to make something meaningful, thoughtful, and worth sharing can be a much more rewarding creative goal.

9. Marina Abramović: Let Your Work Speak For Itself

“If you make 55 years of good work, fame is unavoidable.”

Marina Abramović is one of the most influential performance artists of our time. Her career has been shaped by an extraordinary commitment to exploring the limits of the body, endurance, presence, and human connection.

In a 2024 conversation with The Guardian, Abramović shared this thought when asked about fame and anonymity. Rather than describing recognition as something that needs to be chased, she pointed towards the importance of building a substantial body of work over time.

There is something reassuring about this perspective. Artists can spend so much time worrying about visibility, social media, exhibitions, and whether enough people are noticing their work. Abramović’s words bring the focus back to the creative practice itself. Keep working, keep developing, and give your ideas the time they deserve. Recognition may come, but the work remains at the centre of it all.

10. Henry Taylor: Keep Working Towards What You Want

“I wanted to be good at something.”

American painter Henry Taylor’s words offer a simple but meaningful look at where ambition can begin. In an interview with the Financial Times, Taylor reflected on his early desire to find something he could excel at, especially while growing up alongside siblings who were already accomplished in their own fields.

His journey into painting was not a conventional one. He began studying at the California Institute of the Arts in his thirties and developed a distinctive practice that would eventually bring him international recognition.

What makes his story particularly encouraging is the determination behind it. Taylor has spoken about the sacrifices involved in pursuing art and the importance of continuing to work even when the outcome is uncertain.

His words remind us that ambition does not always begin with a grand plan. Sometimes, it starts with a simple desire to become better at something we love, followed by the willingness to keep showing up and putting in the work.

A Final Thought: Let Your Ambition Grow With You

Ambition does not have to mean wanting more recognition, bigger opportunities, or a more impressive career than someone else. As these artists show us, it can also mean wanting to become better at your craft, creating work that carries meaning, or finding the confidence to pursue an idea that matters to you.

Every artist has their own definition of success, and there is no single path towards it. Some dreams take years to come together, while others change as we learn more about ourselves and our work.

Perhaps the most important thing is to keep making room for those dreams. Allow yourself to be curious, take chances, explore new directions, and believe that your creative ambitions deserve your time and attention. You never know where a little determination might take you.