if there is any downside of calling anybody who creates art the artist.
Is there any?
No matter one is called artist or not, his or her artworks still have to be well appreciated by audience to be successful. So every artist has to work hard on the creative side as well as skills to earn the respect regardless of the status, indlucing masters. Fame, status, and label are not sustainable factors for the successfulness.
Therefore, removing some of the rituals that people don't care as much simplify things. That's American style :)))) -- my 2 cents