Meet Madeleine Ahlborn

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Madeleine Ahlborn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Madeleine below.

Hi Madeleine, appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?

Self-discipline is a continuous act and practice in patience. Habits form over time by accomplishing or avoiding the small steps that lead us to our goals. Most of life is learning how to show up, consistently, to achieve said goal, whatever that might be. The Church Project has allowed me to practice my patience and self-discipline on a daily basis – because I choose to show up everyday, even after a long day at my office for my full time job as a grant writer for another non-profit, I still show up to sweep the floor, wipe down the tables, or dust the shelves. My self-discipline come from focused practice.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Madeleine Ahlborn, I am historically a painter, but often find myself exploring various process based mediums such as photography and performance art. 2.5 years ago I moved my art studio into an old church building, the first baptist church of Monte Vista, for $300 a month. I was offered a price to purchase, and I did, in January 2024, and since then have working with local artists to provide a stage to share their ideas and talents with community members. The Church Project has a mission to provide the space and freedom for all people to unlock their creative potential. We fulfill this mission through 10 diverse programs, which you can explore on our website, www.thechurchproject.co.
Our newest offering for locals is what we call, “Little Closet Song” field style recordings and videos that can be found on our youtube channel, not unlike NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concert” but with our own ‘flavor’ of a unique recording space I designed and constructed based on the idea of a traditional closet, because every voice actor or podcaster begins recording in a closet as clothes are natural sound dampeners. Additionally, I am host to the “Creative Citizen: the Unexpected Artist” podcast, produced and published by Alamodacitizen.com, where I invite seemingly unexpected artists to the closet to share their story.
I believe the first job of any artist is observation. Ideas and concepts I explore help to dictate the medium in which I choose to create, because not every idea is meant to be a painting.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Observation.
Communication.
Connection.
Repetition.

These four qualities will challenge and push you to stay in any project that has a long term goal. Do. Not. Give. Up.
Be realistic with what you want to create, and remember that anything you create must be maintained. Also, if part of your project is not in your skill wheelhouse – outsource it – connect and partner with people with diverse skills, this is not a reflection of incompetence on your part – it shows your professionalism and respect for other trades.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Time.
There is never enough of it and when we do have any, it goes quickly.

Especially in times of discovery – our perception of time “flying by” is because we are learning something new and it feels exciting and captures our attention differently. When we are in routine, time can drag on – because we know what to expect next. So, to keep myself in “timelessness” I attempt to learn or push myself into a discovery mode at least once a week, as I balance multiple jobs and working locations. I make art around it, I think about the process of photography and performance based work to settle my entire body into a concept, to really feel moments and practice letting go.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Credits to The Church Project

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