Artist vs. Tradesman — What's the Difference?

An artist is a person engaged in an activity related to creating art, practicing the arts, or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse refers to a practitioner in the visual arts only.

A tradesman is a skilled worker that specializes in a particular trade (occupation or field of work). Tradesmen usually have work experience, on-the-job training, and often formal vocational education in contrast to an apprentice, who is learning the trade.

One, such as a painter, sculptor, or writer, who is able by virtue of imagination and talent or skill to create works of aesthetic value, especially in the fine arts.

A man who practices a manual trade.

A person whose work shows exceptional creative ability or skill

A man who is a merchant.

One, such as an actor or singer, who works in the performing arts.

A skilled manual worker (implied male).

One who is adept at an activity, especially one involving trickery or deceit

(archaic) One who trades; a shopkeeper.

A person who creates art.

One who trades; a shopkeeper.

A person who creates art as an occupation.

A mechanic or artificer; esp., one whose livelihood depends upon the labor of his hands.

A person who is skilled at some activity.

A merchant who owns or manages a shop

A recording artist.

(archaic) Artistic.

One who practices some mechanic art or craft; an artisan.

One who professes and practices an art in which science and taste preside over the manual execution.

One who shows trained skill or rare taste in any manual art or occupation.

An artful person; a schemer.

A person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination