Discussion # 12 - What is an Artist?

What is an Artist?
“The artist is not a different kind of person, but every person is a different kind of artist.” – Eric Gill
The above quote is charming but not everyone would agree with it. Other basic definitions of an artist would include “someone who actually does art,” “someone who actually does art well,” and “someone who does art for a living.” Well, which is it?
If art includes everything from composing symphonies to making coffee, then we certainly are all accomplished artists. However, if we only think of the “fine arts” as true art, then the number of artists in the world quickly diminishes. Even then, the word ca n be used in different ways. It’s one thing if someone sees you doodling on a notepad and says, “You’re a pretty good artist!” and quite another if someone asks you what you do and you say, “I’m an artist.”
Sometimes it is a close call. We call someone who paints portraits an artist, but we might not say the same about a person who paints houses. Why? What about someone who paints furniture? What about the person who carved the furniture? They are all skilled at their craft, and they all contribute to the beauty of our surroundings.

What does it take for a person to be a true artist?
Would you consider yourself an artist? Why or why not?