Personalised gift · Hand-painted in Switzerland

When objects embody a way of life, they become a work of art in their own right.

It isn’t a still life, it’s someone. I paint the portrait of a person, a couple or a culture through what tells their story: memories, passions, rituals. A one-of-a-kind work, and the most personal gift you can give.

Order a paintingSee the portraits
Paris–Tokyo — One person, two cultures. A Japanese whisky, a blossoming bonsai, a childhood teddy, a Paris–Tokyo ticket, manga and sporting passions: a life between two cities. Acrylic and Posca on canvas · Unique, signed piece.

The idea

A portrait without a face.

What we drink. What we read. What we keep around us. Objects often say more than a portrait.

Nivlak paints object portraits: personalised contemporary still lifes that gather a person’s objects on one table to tell who they are. The composition never changes and is the artist’s signature: a field of pure colour, a chequered tablecloth, a plant, a drink at the centre, a book and everyday objects. The objects change; the story is one of a kind. Each painting is made by hand in acrylic and Posca on canvas, signed, and commissioned in Switzerland.

What a painting can tell

A person. A couple. A culture.

  • A person

    Their aperitif, their books, their little habits. The portrait of someone you know by heart.

  • A couple

    Two stories on one table: your countries, your rituals, your shared memories.

  • A culture

    A city, a language, a way of life you carry everywhere.

  • A journey

    What you tasted, read and brought back. A souvenir that doesn’t end up in a drawer.

  • A country

    Its symbols, its flavours, its everyday objects. Switzerland, or the country you were born in.

Unique gift idea

The perfect gift for someone who has everything.

Flowers fade, objects get forgotten. A painting that tells a person’s story stays on the wall for years, and every guest asks what it means.

  • Birthday

    Their 30th, 40th or 60th told through what they truly love: their aperitif, their favourite novel, their watch.

  • Wedding and anniversary

    Two lives on one table: a bottle from each country, the book from the honeymoon.

  • Retirement

    A team’s shared gift: the objects of a career and those of the projects ahead.

  • Christmas

    For a parent, a grandparent or a friend who wants “nothing”. They can’t buy it for themselves.

  • New home

    A housewarming painting that tells the story of the home, designed for its wall.

  • Farewell or moving abroad

    The flavours and symbols of the country you leave or join, to take anywhere.

What if it’s a surprise?

Tell me about the person: what they drink, what they read, what they keep close. I’ll help you choose the objects that tell their story. They discover the work on the day.

A date to meet?

Allow 3 to 5 weeks of painting after approval. For Christmas or a birthday, write to me as soon as the idea comes to you.

Order a painting

The process

From a person to a painting.

  1. You tell me about the person

    Their tastes, their habits, their story. I can guide you if you hesitate.

    First conversation

  2. We choose the objects

    I compose the still life following a precise structure, the signature of my work.

    Composition

  3. I paint the work

    Acrylic and Posca, by hand, on canvas.

    3 to 5 weeks

  4. You approve, you give

    Once you approve it, the work is delivered ready to hang.

    Ready to give
Nivlak, painter, in a gallery, his face hidden behind an artwork.

The artist

At twelve, I sold my first painting. For 500 francs.

As a child, I spent several years taking painting classes in the studio right across the street from home. That is where I discovered the joy of composing, painting and observing. At an open day, one of my paintings sold. The cheque was for 500 francs: trivial today, huge back then.

Last year, I picked up the brushes again. First for people close to me. Then out of personal need.

What we drink. What we read. What we keep around us. Objects often say more than a portrait.

nivlak

Client reviews

They gave it. They talk about it.

4.9 out of 5 · 9 Google reviews Read all reviews on Google

  • Just received my order and I couldn’t have been happier! The quality is above expectations and all my exchanges with the artist during the process were smooth and professional. You can see his attention to detail and craft.

    ★★★★★ Olivia E.

  • I bought one of his pieces for my brother’s birthday. Nivlak makes the experience seamless and always tries to personalise as far as possible! Bravo!

    ★★★★★ Guillaume P.

  • A very nice, modern and personalised painting, I love it! Perfect for a gift.

    ★★★★★ Emmanuel C. · Translated from Spanish

Order

Order a painting.

Every work is made to order, from objects that carry meaning. Tell me about the person and I’ll get back to you personally.

From CHF 500.–

The price depends on the format and the project. Each quote is prepared individually, after our first conversation.

  • Original work, painted by hand
  • Acrylic and Posca on canvas
  • Unique and signed
  • 3 to 5 weeks after approval
  • Delivered ready to hang

Your enquiry

A few questions to understand your project. Nothing is fixed; we refine it together.

The painting is

Your enquiry is emailed straight to me and is not stored on this site. See our privacy policy.

nivlakart@gmail.com · @nivlak.art

Frequently asked questions

Guide: giving a personalised painting

What is a Nivlak object portrait?

A personalised contemporary still life that represents a person, a couple or a culture through their objects: their favourite drink, their books, their keepsakes. The composition is the artist’s signature; the objects belong to your story.

What unique gift can I give someone who has everything?

A painting that tells their story. They can’t buy it for themselves, it exists only once, and it speaks about them every time they look at it. That is the idea behind Nivlak’s object portraits.

How much does a personalised painting cost?

From CHF 500. The price depends on the format and the project; each quote is prepared individually after a first conversation.

How long does it take?

Each piece is painted by hand. Usually 3 to 5 weeks after the project is approved. For Christmas or a set date, get in touch as early as possible.

How can I give the painting as a surprise?

Describe the person to me and I’ll help you choose the objects that represent them. They don’t need to know anything before they discover the work.

I don’t know which objects to choose.

That’s normal. A first conversation defines the theme, the objects and the intention of the work. Four questions are often enough: what do they drink, what do they read, what do they keep close, where are they from?

Is it a real painting or a print?

A real painting: acrylic and Posca, by hand, on canvas. Each work is unique and signed.

What sizes are available?

The works are painted on canvas, in formats designed to suit a home. We set the dimensions together, based on the project and the space.

Do I see the work before it is delivered?

Yes. The finished work is shown to you. Once you approve it, it is delivered ready to hang.

How do I order?

Fill in the form on this page, write to nivlakart@gmail.com or send a message on Instagram @nivlak.art. I’ll get back to you personally.