Creative sweetheart is tickling midriff (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 tickling midriff' is the wordplay.
'ARTISTIC' is hidden within the letters.
However, I'm unsure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for artistic that I've seen before include "Having creative skills" , "crafty!" , "Cultural" , "Fine-looking" , "Creative; ornamental" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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