The Importance of Life Experience and The Creative Process

How important is it for an artist (writer, musician, insert creative activity here) to live an exciting life? Is it necessary to have some struggle in one's life? Does having some healthy tension, a diverse group of experiences to draw from, etc. give a boost to one's art? I believe in taking risks with one's art, but how important is to have what one would call risky experiences in life, and does this affect one's art positively? I have touched on this subject before here at Modern Art Quotes, but I want to ponder on it in a little more detail. Take this quote from jazz musician Charlie Parker:

"If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn." - Charlie Parker

Jazz, like abstract expressionism shares a basis in the importance of the action in creating the art; a celebration of the moment. The process is a kind of drawing out of an inner energy through the medium. So is Charlie Parker right? Does what you live affect what you create? I know my art has surprised me sometimes by containing elements that are personal to me, but that I didn't consciously intend to put in the work. Obviously if one loves where one is living, is in love with the landscape etc. that would affect your work, but what if that is not exactly your intention, does it come through anyways? Let's listen to artist Jacob Lawrence's thoughts on this subject.

“Our homes were very decorative, full of pattern, like inexpensive throw rugs. It must have had some influence, all this color and everything. Because we were so poor the people used this as a means of brightening their life. I used to do bright patterns after these throw rugs; I got ideas from them, the arabesques, the movement and so on.” -Jacob Lawrence

My personal experience is that not only does your environment and experience define who you are but define your art as well. I have had more than several key experiences that directly relate to how I create. Those experiences reverberate strongly in an unconscious manner. It's like dreams; they are the mind's way of visualizing personal problems, issues, needs, wants, or just daily life. This comes out when you create, and is why many people do create, to filter out whatever they need to and just get lost in the creative process.

Also though I am a firm believer in the power of intention. That despite feeling like you might be pulled in certain directions, that may be related to your circumstances and experience, you have the power at any time to define or redefine what you want to say and how you want to say it.