Meet Elaine Madej | Artist & Art/Gift Shop Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elaine Madej and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elaine, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
Through out my life giving up was never an option. Sometimes I had to change my course to obtain my goal, but in the end I achieved what I set out to do. The year 2020 made me question a lot of things, as it did with so many. There was a point that I was done, beaten, and ready to give up. I went to the store with all intent to pack everything up and start the shutdown process. When I got to the store one of our artists who does prayer flags had hung above the door a set of flags with a dancing bear saying EWBOK- Everything Will Be OK. That gesture of of love, caring, kindness, appreciation, thoughtfulness, whatever you want to call it was all I needed to find a new course. My determination to get through everything was draining and expensive, but the outcome was so rewarding. This determination gave birth to our online store. I guess knowing whether to give up or keep going comes from deep inside, that gut feeling. What I have learned over these past 2 years is that that gut feeling and determination isn’t always enough, having the support and caring of others is what gets you through the tough times. I realized with the support of the artists, I could make anything work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have had many job and careers, I have enjoyed working with my hands and creating beauty where there was lack luster. Looking back every job I had I but my artistry in it. I think that is true of all jobs. I started creating Logheads, shortly after my son was born. That gave me the opportunity to work from home. When I turned around and found my boy was a young man, I found myself questioning what would be next. I stumbled into The Red Door and put my artwork in the shop, this made 4 retail stores that I had them in. When The Red door owner decided to retire, I found my calling. I feel it is the most rewarding profession I have had. Confucius once said “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life,” Wise words!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dining: Ras Kassa’s Ethiopian Restaurant in Lafayette, Martinis Bistro in Longmont, The Roost in Longmont, Lucile’s Creole Cafe in Longmont, Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

Entertaining/ Drinking/Dancing: Bootstrap Brewery, Dickens Opera House, Brew Hop Trolley, The Speakeasy in
Longmont, Estes Park

Visits: Butterfly Pavilion, Pearl Street Mall, Comedy Works in Denver, Lyons Dairy Bar, Wood In 2 Wood Longmont

Hiking: Pella Crossing, Brainard Lake, Caribou

Shopping: Front Range Flea Market in Longmont, Flower Bin in Longmont, Lyons and of course The Red Door in Hygiene

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Shoutout would be to my husband Chet, my son, and all the Artist’s that make The Red Door possible. With out them I would never have taken over the store. Most importantly the artists that stuck with me through the 2020 shutdown, they are the store heroes. Without their support, both emotionally and financially the Red Door would not be here now.

Website: https://www.reddoorartsandmore.com

Instagram: reddoorartsandmore

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reddoorartsandmore

Image Credits
Ray Martin Klinger https://www.raymartinimages.com/