With gold, artist creates special atmosphere (4)
I believe the answer is:
aura
'special atmosphere' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'with gold artist' is the wordplay.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'gold' becomes 'au' (Au is the chemical symbol for gold).
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'au' put next to 'ra' is 'AURA'.
'creates' is the link.
(Other definitions for aura that I've seen before include "Distinctive quality around a person or place" , "Glorious glow" , "subtle emanation" , "Air, distinctive character" , "Perception of distinctive personality" .)