Creative sweetheart is ticked off and shows it (8)

I believe the answer is:

artistic

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'creative' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'sweetheart is ticked off and shows it' is the wordplay.
'ARTISTIC' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I'm not sure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for artistic that I've seen before include "I stir cat (anag.)" , "in an aesthetic way" , "Having a creative imagination" , "Skilled at painting, music etc" , "Expressive" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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