artistic, artful

Artistic or artistic means having or showing creative or expressive skill --
He has an artistic way of arranging furniture.
That's an artistic flower arrangement.
He wrote an editorial about artistic freedom.

Artful or artful may also mean having or showing creative or expressive skill, but it most commonly means sly, crafty, or cunning --
That's an artful arrangement.
He's an artful liar, so don't take what he says seriously.
The Artful Dodger was a very skillful pickpocket.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He tells her that she has unusual artistic ability, and pays her artful compliments."