Art As Communication
All people have a compulsion to communicate with others. Artists are people whos communication needs are not entirely met socially, so they must communicate in other ways, and the way they choose is art. This may explain why the best artists have personal communication problems, and so often remain obscure.
Artists who are more social may communicate different things in their art and socially, they simply command different audiences. The most social artists may use art to communicate taboo subjects that they feel would be inappropriate to communicate to their social circle. Less social artists may feel liberated from social constraints.
Any objects that inferere with peoples' ability to communicate will limit creative ability. People are less creative when other people are present, because of the natural desire all people have to respond to any others who are present, even if only on an unconscious level. Similarly, music, television, animals; these will all disrupt creativity on some level. The need, the urge to communicate must be fostered to create an artist, and is best done in silent isolation. Art wil naturally flow in such circumstances, and always be attenuated as more subjects of communication become present in ones vicinity, or even psyche.