The Great I Am

I have noticed in myself that I am anxious about describing myself absolutely. For example, I feel as though I would never say "I am a photographer" just because I like to take pictures. Or "I am a writer" or "I am a painter" because I like to do such things. But why not? Why is there fear in identifying myself in that way? I feel I have to be good at what I am claiming I am. It's like I have to prove myself to others. In order to win the title of "painter" I have to successfully complete a 12-week course, produce 8 pieces of art of different styles, take a test, and have a painting hanging in a coffee shop.
It is easy to describe myself by what I do for a living "I am a vet tech" or by what I believe "I am a christian" or by obvious statements "I am a girl". But I fear that if I claim something someone else doesn't agree with ("her photos suck") I have no right to identify myself that way. And so I don't claim to be something I'm not, even though I am. And no, it doesn't have anything to do with modesty or humility.
Bottomline I find that I care too much. I think I was made with a heart for creativity and exploration. Whether or not someone likes what I write or how I play a song on the guitar or how I paint doesn't make it any less exhilirating to pick up a paint brush, to hear a chord, to let a thought unfold into language. Obviously these things do not define me. But my passion for these and other things make up so much of what and how I think, how I spend my time. And so I am going to stop saying "I like to paint" and simply call myself a "painter". It may be a meaningless distinction to make. Making it, though, is somewhat humbling as it reminds me of how intricately God created me. Would denying His design deny Him altogether?