In a world where Contemporary Art is often associated with intellectualism or elitism, some artists manage to reconcile spontaneity, pleasure and accessibility.
Arnaud Maillard, also known as Fat Nanard, is one of those artists whose work, at once colorful, unrestrained, and profoundly human, instills joy. At 43, this self-taught painter, living in Haute-Savoie between Geneva and Annecy, combines his love for natural wine with a lifelong passion: artistic creation.
From a very young age, Arnaud always had a pencil or paintbrush in his hand. Drawing, crafts, painting on t-shirts, or even pyrography: everything was an excuse to express himself, to experiment. Although he didn't have any formal art training, it was his curiosity and this constant need to create that drove him, year after year, to develop his own unique style.
Painting is not just a simple pleasure for him: it is a natural extension of his personality.
In the evening, after a day spent advising customers on natural wines in his cellar "La Nature Du Vin", Arnaud puts on his Fat Nanard cap and lets his imagination run wild on the web.
When you discover Fat Nanard's works, you're immediately captivated by the vibrancy of the colors, the dynamism of the forms, and this joyful visual chaos that nevertheless seems subtly controlled. He describes himself as having a style that is both "chaotic and structured," and it is perhaps this tension between spontaneity and rigor that gives his creations their unique charm.
His preferred tools? Acrylic paint, Posca markers, and spray paint. These are what give his works their vibrant and expressive quality, reminiscent of street art, pop art, and urban graphic design.
Geometry is never far away, like an underlying structure to the visual abundance.
It is a joyful mix of influences, inspirations and nods that can be found in each of his paintings.
Arnaud makes no secret of his admirations. He draws his inspiration from major figures of modern and contemporary art: Fernand Léger, Kandinsky, Robert Combas, Joan Miro, Hervé Di Rosa, Keith Haring, Banksy and Hank China.
All these creators share a free, often committed, sometimes subversive, but always deeply expressive approach to art.
Besides these artists, other worlds nourish his creativity: rock music, comics, and of course, gastronomy. These themes are subtly present in his paintings, whether as direct references or symbols integrated into his compositions.
Every artist has their obsessions. For Fat Nanard, they are music, natural wine, and little messages slipped in here and there like bubbles of thought in the heart of the canvas.
His works are never neutral; they tell a story, often with humor, sometimes with a touch of tenderness or irony. He likes to paint situations and atmospheres, always with the desire to share a positive emotion. Far from conceptual posturing, he primarily wants his creations to bring joy.
Her vision of art is like her: convivial, generous and warm.
"For me, art is colorful, vibrant, convivial, and it's meant to be shared like a good bottle of wine while listening to a vinyl record," he said. One couldn't better summarize his approach.
It is therefore no coincidence that wine and music are so present in his world. The canvas becomes a table, color a sip of wine, and the rhythm of forms a piece of music playing in the background. Art becomes a moment of life, a simple but sincere pleasure.
Arnaud isn't chasing media attention or fame. What matters to him is inspiring others to create in their own way. "I'm not necessarily comfortable with the idea of putting myself forward," he confides, "but the idea that his works could spark the desire to paint in others motivates him enormously."
His goal is clear: to enjoy creating, to have fun, and to evoke positive emotions in those who discover his work. It's an honest, unpretentious, but profoundly generous approach.
Arnaud's imagination knows no rest. Even though his evenings are busy with his family life and his job as a wine merchant, he always finds time to paint, to experiment, to dream about new mediums.
Among his current aspirations: creating wine and beer labels. A project that makes perfect sense, as his artistic style aligns so naturally with that of food artisans. One can already picture bottles adorned with his vibrant designs, telling a story even before the first sip.
"A painting only lives through the one who looks at it," said Picasso. This phrase perfectly sums up Fat Nanard's philosophy. His works are not static objects: they live through the gaze of those who discover them, interpret them, and project their emotions onto them.
And that's the magic of his art: accessible, sincere, and profoundly alive.
Fat Nanard is the colorful alter ego of Arnaud Maillard, a self-taught artist who combines passion, authenticity, and good humor. Through his canvases, he shares a piece of himself, between two glasses of natural wine and a rock playlist. He reminds us that art, like fine wine, is best enjoyed in conviviality and simplicity.
Text Artix Project Geneva, May 2025
