Artist leaving daily grind gives hint (5)
I believe the answer is:
trace
'hint' is the definition.
(I know that hint can be written as trace)
'artist leaving daily grind' is the wordplay.
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'leaving' is a deletion indicator.
'daily grind' becomes 'rat race' (I've seen this in another clue).
'ratrace' with 'ra' removed is 'TRACE'.
'gives' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for trace that I've seen before include "Describe, small quantity" , "Find by investigation" , "Vestige, hint" , "Side strap connecting a horse to what it's pulling" , "Find; copy; small amount" .)