I do not call myself an artist, I call myself an illustrator. Calling myself an artist means that I have boiled down a complex world of professional visual makers in to a simple, elementary term so everyone else feel included in our world. It is like calling yourself a scientist when you specialize in medicine.
Then who calls themselves artists? The non-artists. The typical person I can think of is some snob in a big city who is very proud of what they do and believe that their work is making a significant different to others who have no idea who you are. Then they use the term 'creative' along with the word, 'artist.'
I do not point fingers to retirees or someone with mental illness who use art as a form of therapy and expression. I do not question the benefit of art, both in individuals and in a community and I hope more people enjoy making art. An artist, however, should not be self-appointed. Just because one picks up a brush and slabs the paint in a shape does not mean that one is an artist. Just as one does not simply become a pianist just because one has fingers to tap on a piano. Same goes with photographers.
Then who are the artists? To me, an artist is those who make a living off of their crafts. Their work generates an income which one could support themselves with, no matter how large or little. Artist often have a favored way of making work or making money, which defines in depth who they are. This is when people call themselves a branch of artists, such as painters, photographers, glassblowers, illustrators or graphic designers.
Artist, in short, is a profession. It takes practice and passion to be good at it, and it makes money. If one does not make money off of her craft, it is called a hobby. It is fun but it is also hard. Making money is not always a smooth sail, and art is not always therapeutic. But please understand that artist are not making art as a hobby, a fun couple of hours to make one feel better. It is a hard thing to support oneself by making art, and please understand that it s a difficult and demanding 'job.' Bob Ross made money doing his videos.
I do not expect one to fully understand what it means to be an illustrator. But I do not understand how hard it is to make money otherwise. Next time you meet an 'artist,' be honest in that you have no idea what she does. What do you then? Ask the person. When one says 'I'm an illustrator,' reply, 'that's great. Can I ask what you illustrate?'