When a Painting Begins to Breathe | A Conversation with Jordan Wolfson

In this fascinating conversation, I sit down with painter, teacher, and author Jordan Wolfson to explore painting as a practice of awareness. Jordan describes how, over the years, his sense of self has become more porous and less fixed, allowing him to respond more openly to both life and the creative process.

We discuss why some paintings feel profoundly alive while others, though technically accomplished, do not. Jordan shares insights drawn from artists like Cézanne, Monet, and especially Berthe Morisot, whose expressive mark-making helped shape modern painting in ways that history has often overlooked.

Along the way, we explore nondual awareness, presence, emotional energy, and why truly meaningful art often emerges when we stop trying to force it. I also share how my own doodling practice, along with a simple moment making toast alone in Santa Fe, taught me that everyday acts can become gateways to presence.

Although Jordan and I often use different language, we discovered we were pointing toward much the same experience: creativity not as something we manufacture, but as something we participate in.

If you've ever sensed that painting is about more than paint, this conversation is for you.

To purchase Jordan’s book:

https://www.lulu.com/shop/jordan-wolfson/power-and-presence/paperback/product-q6wm9wr.html?q=&page=1&pageSize=4

For more information, visit his website https://jordanwolfson.com/

Jordan Wolfson received his MFA from the Yale School of Art in 1991. An internationally exhibited painter, his work explores the relationship between perception, mark-making, and consciousness, viewing painting as both a creative practice and a path to deeper understanding. His work is included in collections around the world, and he has received numerous honors, including grants from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation and the Ingram Merrill Foundation.

"Painting isn't about making a picture; painting is about exploring life."

Want to learn more about CJ Miller? Check out his Spiritual Artist Retreats, 1:1 Personal Coaching, and Speaking Engagements at www.spiritualartisttoday.com. His retreats are designed to help you reconnect with your Creative Intelligence and express your true artistic voice. You can also find his upcoming schedule there, and his book, The Spiritual Artist, is available on Amazon.