[thinkingoutloud89]

^you stepped on thin ice. Trying to define "artist" is problematic. There are painter who never holded a brush, yet they are hailed in the scene.
I'm an teacher for art here in Germany, and what makes the artist today is the "idea", not the way it is carried out anymore.

An actor can also be called artist, yet what does he do? "only" act

edit:

Six activities, services or functions of contemporary artists:

Create places for some human purpose.
Create extraordinary versions of ordinary objects.
Record and commemorate.
Give tangible form to the unknown.
Give tangible form to feelings.
Refresh our vision and help see the world in new ways.