Great question Shadpoke and I am interested in hearing what the other clowns have to say on the subject. In my opinion you are a professional when you are earning money from your art. Of course not earning money doesn't mean you are unprofessional either.
Here is what Dictionary.com has to say about it:
1.following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain: a professional builder.
2.of, pertaining to, or connected with a profession: professional studies.
3.appropriate to a profession: professional objectivity.
4.engaged in one of the learned professions: A lawyer is a professional person.
5.following as a business an occupation ordinarily engaged in as a pastime: a professional golfer.
6.making a business or constant practice of something not properly to be regarded as a business: “A salesman,” he said, “is a professional optimist.”
7.undertaken or engaged in as a means of livelihood or for gain: professional baseball.
8.of or for a professional person or his or her place of business or work: a professional apartment; professional equipment.
9.done by a professional; expert: professional car repairs. –noun
10.a person who belongs to one of the professions, esp. one of the learned professions.
11.a person who earns a living in a sport or other occupation frequently engaged in by amateurs: a golf professional.
12.an expert player, as of golf or tennis, serving as a teacher, consultant, performer, or contestant; pro.
13.a person who is expert at his or her work: You can tell by her comments that this editor is a real professional.
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