Sophie Paillard-Elkin

Born and raised in Reims, the cultural and economic hub of the Champagne region in France, I first came to the US as a student, in the late ’70s. I moved from a vibrant college campus in the Latin Quarter in Paris to an equally vibrant one, filled with alligators and Spanish moss, in the heart of Cajun Country, Louisiana. I cheerfully traded the Seine for the Mississippi bayous and the baroque quartets for my favorite Cajun bands. This experience only fostered my thirst for knowledge and adventure, leading me to Northern Africa, the Middle East, other parts of Europe, and Latin America. I moved to NYC in the early ’80s and from there, chose to raise my family on an organic farm outside of Geneva, surrounded by wildlife, wildflowers and, until recently, wild children. As a decorative artist and painter, trained both in France and the US by internationally acclaimed artists, I pick up my paint brush whenever possible. My passion for art is mirrored by that for historic preservation and sustainable design. When I am not painting, renovating, or managing Left Bank, I am hiking the Adirondack high peaks on a quest to become a 46er. While my calendar keeps me in line, my backpack keeps me on the alert.