Is being an Artist, Skilled labor?

It would depend on the requirements of the job. If for example you cut die casts or painted plates then it would, in my opinion. However if you did animation, drawings, took photos for historical records, or put together commercials then I would argue it is a professional job. The difference between a skilled job and a professional job for an artist, I believe, rests on how much control and decision making ability you had. Should it be very little then in my opinion it would be skilled but if you had a degree of latitude in how you did your job, in my opinion, it is professional.