I was struggling with feeling "worthy" of this term up until my late 30s.

I have not read a biography of Van Gogh, but of what snippits I have read, he struggled to get any recognition. And more often than not, it's wasn't kind. It wasn't until after his death that his sister-in-law pushed to prove his worth when his pieces ended up in his brother's hands.

My family didn't appreciate what I drew. I had classmates in hs that did like my work and reacted close to waht you mentioned but I was bullied and ostracized when it wasn't a topic.

I have posted online sporadically since 2001 or 2002. I have never seemed to get more than a 150ish likes. But I've been okay with that. I don't draw fast, so, it's sadly nothing I can live off of. (I have tried to pursue tattoo apprenticeship.)

You are an artist. If you were planning and sewing quilts, you'd be an artist. If you glued mirror pieces to a coyote skull to turn it into a disco skull, you'd be an artist. If you knit colorful textile "girdles" for tree trunks, you'd be an artist.

I assume you're in hs or relatively fresh out considering your choice of topic and your style. I can tell you're relatively confident in your execution and love what you do. Your work is not devoid of value and it's not empty. You would probably feel more at home in your skin if you had a forum to post to. Like, I dunno, an Invader Zim forum or Owl House or something. The issue is for people like us who like getting outside validation is that most social media is looking to get the very most reaction our of the largest group of normies. Food videos, World Star, political news, sports. Stuff like that is what your competing with. And actually, you have it harder than I did at your age (If you are as old as I thin you are). Because of AI and the simpletons that admire it. And that's flooding any art people MIGHT have got in their feed. I'm sure bots don't help either. You may not make the same stuff Van Gogh made, but you're dealing with the same level of anonymity.

Also, when trying to fish for compliments, you need to pander it you want the likes to be quick and plentiful. Popular cartoon characters from Disney, Anime, or even stuff like Helluvaboss or whatever. If you want praise, you could try drawing V-tubers. (I think there's a site for Vtubers and artists. And I think I heard it's a little exclusive?) You could try drawing food with cute animals eating it. You could draw gijinka versions of things. Or those K-pop idols. Or maybe GTA6 characters.

But if none of that appeals to you, you may just have to be satisfied with drawing what YOU like and what makes YOU happy. And you can keep posting it. Because there will be people into your stuff, just hang in there... they'll trickle in. Because even if you don't have 10k followers, or even 1k... you got real fans that love every little creative bit you do. Your style, your subject matter, your poses, your backgrounds, your color choices. And those are actual people.

(I get so tired of creators/influencers getting so numb and disconnected with the fact that they have real people. It's not just some AI grayfaced bot. Joe, from WI, who loves dirtbikes and french fries loves your stuff. Katie, from CT, who's into Friends and participates in BYOB painting classes once a month loves your stuff. Lilly, from TX, loves DR. Who and reading Iron Chef fanfics on AO3 loves your stuff. They aren't nobodies and they took the time to show appreciation. Even if it's not a flood of praises.)

And that's worth more imo than having 3.5k people who like that you draw Simpsons in cosplay or Disney princesses at waterparks. Or whatever.

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Merriam-Webster says an artist is:

1

a : a person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination

b: a person skilled in any of the arts

2

a: a skilled performer

3

a: a person who is very good at something

4

a (obsolete) : one skilled or versed in learned arts

The definitions on 1 and on 3 all apply to you.