What does the cryptic crossword clue "Ordinary artist, half cut, becomes shopkeeper (8)" mean?

The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). STOCK (synonym="ordinary") + IST (synonym="IST") = STOCKIST The answer is STOCKIST.

Ordinary artist, half cut, becomes shopkeeper (8)

Guardian Cryptic #29644 | 25 Across | 2025-03-17 flower