Michel Nadaï
Best Craftsman of France
Owner of Atelier Nadaï
Artistic director and head instructor
Decorative Painting Artist
Author
Painting is my life, it’s the language I use when I want to describe any given moment in my life.
This is why I made it my work and since 30 years I’ve been teaching it professionally.
Michel Nadaï is a French decorative painting artist based in the southwest of France. It is after a career in theater scenery that Michel decided to specialize in decorative painting and trompe-l'oeil. Since 25 years he has taken on commissions in France and abroad, creating custom painted ceilings and murals for private and public sectors. Michel has also been teaching the craft to an international set of students, transmitting his know-how and his passion for this craft.
In this craft where excellence is de rigueur, he was designated as Master Artisan and in 1994 he earned the title of Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (shortened to MOF) for the category of decorative painting and trompe-l'oeil in a professional trades competition. This title, translated as 'Best Craftsman of France' is a unique and prestigious award and life-time title in France. Michel is also author of award-winning book Art & Techniques of Decorative Painting.
Today Michel lives with his wife and their two Shih Tzus Lumi and Phoebe in the southwest of France, where he runs his decorative painting business and school Ateier Nadaï. Students come from all over the world to train with him in the European techniques of decorative painting, for which he is renowned and respected.
Awards
- Meilleur Ouvrier de France en Peinture Décorative et Trompe-l’œil (Best Craftsman of France award, in the category of decorative painting and trompe-l'oeil)
- Le Grand Prix du Livre (Awarded the Grand Prix for his book Art & Techniques of Decorative Painting)
- "Mention" awarded by the jury of the Salon des Artistes Français - 2020
Bronze Medal awarded by the jury of the Salon des Artistes Français - 2023
Guilds
- Société des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France
- Member of the Scottish Association of Painting Craft Teachers (Scotland)
- Member of the Société des Artistes Français
Other distinctions
Michel Nadaï is a member of the commission for the creation of the subjects for the prestigious competition - Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, organized by the COET, under the patronage of the Ministry of Labor (France).
Fine Art Exhibitions
Agen, France: Permanent exhibition at our atelier at 8 rue François Arago, 47000 Agen, France
1999 - 2020: Some venues where Michel showcased the French tradition of painted decorations and trompe-l'oeil
USA
The Faux Expo, New York/ The Finishing School, New York/ Faux Effects Int'l, Florida/ The Faux Academy, Las Vegas/ The Faux Expo, Dallas, Texas/ Scott's Faux Design, Minnesota/ Meeting of the Masters, Dallas, Texas/ The Finishing Source, Atlanta GA/ Hilton Head, SC
Other venues
Paris, France/ San Antonio, Texas USA/ Bruges, Belgium/ Oslo, Norway/ Arrhus, Denmark/ Chicago, USA/ Bermago, Italy
Japan
Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT)
Gallery Shine, Saitama
Hôtel Méridien for the Year of France in Japan - Tokyo
Finland
Helsinki School for Special Painting
T.A.O. (Turku Vocational Training Center)
Uustaas Oy/Ab
Saudia Arabia
Deco Fair, Jeddah
Ireland
Master Classes on graining and marbling in Dublin