What makes you an artist?

With a back ground in art history and museum studies, and professional experience in museums and galleries, I always find myself skeptical when some one says "I'm an artist." So what makes you an artist? When do you decide that it isn't just for fun, and a hobby, but that you can really be an Artist, and a professional at that? When was your "ah-ha!" moment that said "NOW I'm an artist!"

 

 

Personally, even though I've had things on walls (both in galleries and homes) and people offer me money for things, I couldn't call myself an artist.

 

What makes you an artist? With a back ground in art history and museum studies, and professional experience in museums and galleries, I always find myself skeptical when some one says "I'm an artist." So what makes you an artist? When do you decide that it isn't just for fun, and a hobby, but that you can really be an Artist, and a professional at that? When was your "ah-ha!" moment that said "NOW I'm an artist!" Personally, even though I've had things on walls (both in galleries and homes) and people offer me money for things, I couldn't call myself an artist.