There is an artist in all of us. We just have to let it happen. It is not something that is forced. Like anything else. If you try to force it will rebal. It has to flow threw you and not from you. Whenever I have an inspiration about painting something I try to make a note or a ruff sketch so that I will not loose that thought and that I could go back to it later.
On the other hand. Does anyone ever stop to think how valueable the act of drawing or painting is? Without art it would be a pretty grim world. Engineers need it to design. Designers need it to create. people need it to enjoy and feel good. etc.  Art is in verything that we do and see.  Yet we have to subdivide it into categories so that it works in every espic of life .
Some need to have compitition in there life and others don't and both are okay. There should be a place for both. I am not a competetor yet if I was to enter something in a contest I would feel good that I was good enough to win. It is the not winning that takes more courage.  To make a conclusion of it all. I think it is a matter of perspective and why you do what you do.
When I think of the word proffenional I take it to mean that the person is knowledgible in his/her field. Whatever that field may be. The person has learned all that he needs to know on the subject to be able to handle it profficiently. The word sale or business should not enter into the equation.  A person could be a proffesional yet never have sold a thing in his life. The question should be rephrased to say. When is a person consider to be a proffesional?

All of you are a great bunch. It is a pleasure to be sharing thoughts with all of you.

Interesting subject you have going here and not a new one at all. This is an age old  question. I suppose I will try to add my "two cents worth". ( just my opinion of course and not necessarily correct)

I have painted off and on , through family life, rain and storm, all that life entails for  over 30 years. I used to enter competitions, local  State Fair competitions, local art guild competitions,---and all that I could do to see how I rated with others--I suppose. We all need a little validation, don't we? I would get blue ribbons and $10. for first place. This also included painting on anything that others would ask me to paint on, ie. -cars, license plates, barn signs, saw blades, barn doors,---you name it and I did it. Along with this, my "clients"   would want to pay me "a little something for my time". Sometimes I would accept, other times maybe not. I was primarily self-taught and needed the experiance to better myself. I did this for many years ( slow learner,     Let me say here that first and foremost, I love painting and it has been my saviour throught thick and thin. I paint what I love and not what is the big "seller" at the time. Roosters are selling, you say " so be it. That is not WHY I paint but instead I am blessed that I can have a job that I love and can receive pay for it .How lucky can you get.

Now today. I have many years under my "brush", many, many more competitions,more workshops and study under fantastic professional artists and I have read and tried so many things myself to enhance my work. My children have grown and moved on, my hubby , retired and here I am. Painting is my love and I cannot imagine my life without creating.

I am a professional artist. I charge a professionl fee for my commissions. I  no longer enter as many competions ( almost never ). I DO NOT PAINT ON SIGNS AND SAW BLADES. I do not intend to under-rate those things NOW but instead I cannot AFFORD the time it takes to do those when I am working on my work now. In other words, I think that in the past I was a  Professional Crafts Person. I sold some things-----------NOw, I sell more and bigger items.

It comes down to , does it REALLY MATTER?  As long as we are happy and do not offend others, let our conscience be our guide.

Humm--m-m-m-m---- Ok I will sign off now. Enough is enough. Right?

Thanks Vivian. I just noticed your response as I had not been here for a couple of days.

I see nearly the same question is being asked "sort of" in the "art on a pedestal" post. I think I will just chime in on the post about "art on a pedestal". 

Keep in touch.