About California Art Advisory

My mission is to make the art world more transparent and less intimidating.  Holding myself to the highest professional and ethical standards, I offer tools and services to guide clients through the often complex process of buying, selling or valuing artwork.

I’m Nora Desruisseaux. I founded California Art Advisory in 2011 and bring more than seventeen years of art world experience to my role as senior appraiser and consultant.

I earned my B.A. in History of Art from the University of California Berkeley, graduating with high honors in 2007. While still an undergrad, I began work at Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, California.  What began as an internship in the fine art department of the estate auction house ultimately grew into a permanent position as department head, where I was responsible for identifying, valuing and cataloging over 500 lots of art each month.

A move to Orange County led to an eight-year position as a gallery director, appraiser and consultant for private and corporate clients.

I am currently a member of the Appraisers Association of America and adhere to their Code of Ethics.  I have passed my examination on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and my appraisals are USPAP-compliant.   

My published work includes contributions to exhibition catalogs – Michael West: Paintings from the Forties to the Eighties and Andy Wing: Works from 1954-1997 – as well as a research guide for artworks, published by the University of California and accessible online on the Berkeley Art and Architecture library website.  I have appeared as an art appraiser on the reality television show Storage Wars, and my art advisory work has been featured on the design website Style by Emily Henderson.