Voyage Houston Interview

I'm thrilled to have been selected by Voyage Houston to be featured in their online magazine. Read the complete interview below.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Arnoult Miller.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always been fascinated with art, and I believe my true talent lies in the ability to connect artists and their work, with those who collect as a kind of “matchmaker”. It’s extremely rewarding to find a great fit between a work of art and collector and to know I had a hand in creating a long-lasting relationship.

After high school I lived in Paris for a year and studied the arts at the Sorbonne. After graduating from U of H in 1996, I worked in auction house, museum and gallery environments until launching my own consultancy in 2010. I wanted the flexibility to offer my clients anything from anywhere and since I’ve been independent, I’ve developed an international network of well-respected artists, galleries, and dealers. I’ve also been appraising art since 2009 and completed my appraiser’s education through NYU. I am an accredited member of the Appraisers Association of America.

My business has been growing quickly over the past few years and I feel so very fortunate to be doing work that I truly love and find so compelling. There is something new to look at every day.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It can be daunting to take that leap and start out on your own. The uncertainly can be unsettling, but it was well worth those first rocky couple of years to get where I wanted to go.

Please tell us about Arnoult Fine Art Consulting.
I’m an art consultant/advisor, specializing in modern and contemporary paintings, sculpture and works on paper.

I find relationships with private collectors especially rewarding and I think my clients feel that I provide very individualized and comprehensive services. Each collector is unique as far as vision and aesthetic sensibility. I spend time getting to know the client and their space so that I am able to offer the best possible options of the highest quality within the client’s budget range. I will never compromise on quality. The work must be good and in good condition for me to offer it to a client. I won’t offer an artist whose work is “trendy” without merit.

I’m proud of the fact that I handle each project personally from beginning to end. I want to be sure every detail is executed to the highest standards, from preliminary research on a work to framing and installation.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memories from childhood have to do with growing up in a house filled with music and fun. Although we had modest means when I was little, there was always music playing (usually classical or jazz), and there was often an occasion to celebrate. My father is an excellent chef, and my mother had her own ballet studio, so I think the arts were part of my life from the beginning. I’m thankful to my parents for this, and for their encouragement as I pursued a career in art.