Why must this come up every other month. The answer is really simple. Are you making 3D art? Yes, therefore you are a 3D artist. Argument over. There are obviously varying degrees of skill involved.. But that is the same for ALL art. Some people paint objects, or form objects from clay, or create 3D objects on a computer to make a piece of art. Some people photograph existing objects or render existing 3D objects to make a piece of art. They are all artists, but the argument always comes up. The painter says you are not an artist because a computer or camera does the work, and not your hand and brush. The sculpter says you are not an artist because a computer formed the shapes, not your hands and tools. A 3D modeler says you are not an artist because someone else created the objects and you just stuck them together for a render. In the end it doesnt matter. They all created a piece of art.