Distinguished artist starts to envisage new things (7)
I believe the answer is:
eminent
'distinguished' is the definition.
('eminent' can be a synonym of 'distinguished')
'artist starts to envisage new things' is the wordplay.
'artist' becomes 'emin' (I've seen this before**).
'starts to' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'envisage new things' is 'ent'.
'emin'+'ent'='EMINENT'
(Other definitions for eminent that I've seen before include "Outstanding or distinguished (7)" , "Lofty; famous" , "High" , "Noted" , "Respected; distinguished" .)