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About - Michel Nadaï


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.


 

Michel_Nadai_photo


Michel has a passion for the Renaissance era, and continues to transmit his know-how and techniques to his students because he believes that "beauty matters in art and in our lives".  It is with this same feeling that he takes on high end projects for the private and public sectors locally and internationally, designing and creating beautiful painted murals, architectural trompe-l'oeils and finishes.  The most prestigious project he took on recently was the restoration project at Stirling Castle.

From March 2010 to September 2010, Michel has worked at Stirling Castle, for the monumental restoration project undertaken by Historic Scotland.  In this project, he was designing and painting mural and ceiling decorations for the royal chambers of the Palace, in the spirit of the sixteenth century. In June 2011, he was presented to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and his Royal Highness, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, during the Royal Opening of the Palace at Stirling Castle.

 

Michel Nadaï is presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

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

  • 2024 - Paris, France:   Salon d'Automne - October 2024 (Champs-Elysées)
  • 2024 - Paris, France:   Salon des Artistes Français - February 2024 (Grand Palais Ephémère)
  • 2024 - Paris, France:   Salon d'Automne - January 2024 (Grande Halle de la Villette)
  • 2023 - Paris, France:   Salon des Artistes Français - February 2023 (Grand Palais Ephémère)
  • 2022 - Paris, France:   Salon d'Automne - October 2022 (Grande Halle de la Villette)
  • 2022 - Paris, France:   Salon des Artistes Français - February 2022 (at the Grand Palais Ephémère)
  • 2021 - Paris, France:   Salon d'Automne - October 2021 (Champs-Elysées)
  • 2021 - Paris, France:   Salon des Artistes Français - February 2021 (virtual exhibition)
  • 2020 - Paris, France:   Salon d'Automne - October 2020 (virtual exhibition)
  • 2020 - Tokyo, Japan:  Art Actuel Exhibition at the National Art Center (August 2020)
  • 2020 - Epernay, France:  virtual exhibition - online event on La Petite Pinacothèque Gallery's website (July/August 2020)
  • 2020 - Paris, France:  Salon des Artistes Français - 2020 (Grand Palais)
  • 2019 - Paris, France:  Salon d'Automne - 2019 (Champs-Elysées)
  • 2019 - Xi'An, China:  Salon d'Automne Xi'An 2019 (China)
  • 2018 - Paris, France: Salon d'Automne - 2018 (Champs-Elysées)
  • 2017 - Marc-en-Baroeul, France: Exhibition at the Septentrion Gallery - November 2017
  • 2017 - Epernay, France: Exhibitions at the Petite Pinacothèque - Inspiration de Champagne 2017
  • 2016 - Epernay, France: Exhibitions at the Petite Pinacothèque - Salon de Noël 2016
  • 2016- Epernay, France: Exhibitions at the Petite Pinacothèque  - Inspiration de Champagne 2016
  • 2016 - Saint Chinian, France: Mural painting for the event L'Art en Cave 2016 Edition
  • 2015 - Beaune, France: Solo exhibition at the Comédie du Vin (2015)
  • 2014 - Paris, France: Comparaisons - Art en Capital 2014 (Grand Palais, Paris)

Agen, France: Permanent exhibition at our atelier at 8 rue François Arago, 47000 Agen, France

 


Still_Life_by_Michel_Nadai
 


 

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


 

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