n.1 a painter.
2 a person who practises any of the arts.
3 an artiste.
4 a person who works with the dedication and attributes associated with an artist (an artist in crime).
5 colloq. a devotee; a habitual practiser of a specified (usu. reprehensible) activity (con artist).
Derivatives:
artistry n.
Etymology: F artiste f. It. artista (as ART(1), -IST)