When I first read the title of this post I thought "how judgmental and pretentious". But then realized that this is a thought-provoking topic.
My sister is a professional artist--professor at prestigious university, exhibited and won prizes internationally, etc. When I've been introduced to her colleagues they always ask "what do you do?" When I reply "I am a quilter" they all, without exception, have remarked how wonderful it is to have two artists in the same family. Not one has questioned if I follow a pattern or draw on my life experiences. When they've seen my work they remark on color choices, pattern, design, why I chose a specific color, etc. They treat it as a work of art no matter the simplicity or complexity of the piece. It is art and all quilters are artists.
Thanks for a great topic for discussion.