Possible Clues:

• Difficult state for artist
• Narrow enough not to be for a crook, by the sound of it
• Narrow stretch of water for artist
• Difficulty - strict
• Narrow passage is direct, we hear
• Not abroad, perhaps, for so little sea
• How I get into the start, but not abroad
• Commercial passage
• Narrow stretch of water as at Gibraltar
• Men get A1 for one