How do you know when you're an artist?

This is actually a tough question with an answer simpler than you think. It  was a topic requested of me, so I will do my best to do the question justice. 

So how do you know you are an artist? The answer: When you say you are. 

I know that seems like a lame answer, but it’s the truth. Living in Hollywood, I come across many people daily who say that they are “trying” to be an actor, or “wanting” to be a writer, or “hoping” to be a musician. These are not terms you find in any other field other than the arts. You might find people that say they are studying to become a doctor or a lawyer, but there is no hoping, wanting or trying. They know what they are going to be. 

With art it seems like people need some form of external validation to finally be able to say with confidence that “I am an artist”. Just because you don’t have a song on the radio, doesn’t mean you’re not a musician. Just because you have only done student and short films, doesn’t mean you’re not an actor.

You become these things when you say to yourself with 100% confidence, “I am an artist!” “I am a writer!” “I am a musician!” “I am an actor!” You get the point. Own up to it, because when you believe it of yourself, others will follow suit. Then that external validation you have been so desperately craving will come.