If you are a computer programmer who meets up with your buddies to play every once in a while, no you aren't an artist.

If you are in a band, and you are playing all the time, obviously you are an artist. The job is facilitating you playing. The playing is the focus.

Someone who decides in college, or directly after college, "you know what, I'm just gonna be a programmer." Then touches the piano every once in a while, or plays with his friends every once in a while. I don't call that an artist.

There are so many of these people. They aren't artists. Sorry. Are the smart, probably, are they talented, probably, are they committed, yes to programming.