Ropy artist? (7)

I believe the answer is:

painter

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'artist?' is the definition.
(type of artist)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for painter that I've seen before include "Artist - rope for boat" , "Shipping line" , "Line attached to the bow of a boat when tying up" , "someone like Monet" , "that may tie up a cat, perhaps?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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