Website : https://lespeinturesdelu.over-blog.com/
Etsy shop : https://www.etsy.com/shop/liudmilamenager/
Instagram account : https://www.instagram.com/artist.millamenager/
Facebook account : https://www.facebook.com/MillaMenager.art/
E-mail adress : luidaonline@gmail.com
Phone number : +33 6 19 12 81 09
“Milla Ménager” is the shorter name of the artist : Liudmila Ménager. She lives in Brittany (France), in a peaceful village. She is a French-Russian artist, illustrator, author, architect, and teacher of Fine Arts and French as a Foreign Language (FLE in French). Milla creates books, leads art and French workshops, and helps others express themselves through storytelling, painting, and metaphorical illustrations.
She have many passions such as : art, literature, education, architecture, nature, and supporting people in rediscovering their inner strength and creativity. She combines her love for visual art, language, and space to inspire both children and adults, to find their voice and build confidence.
OJL : Hello Milla.
Milla Ménager : Hello.
OJL : So we are going to try to see what is your personality first. Then we will talk about your works. What is your favourite colour(s) ?
Milla Ménager : Maybe I’m a bit unusual, but I find beauty in every colours. In art, in clothing, and in life. It all depends about the occasion or about my mood. I especially love lilac, green, emerald, and the colours of autumn (smile).
OJL : What is your favourite number(s) ?
Milla Ménager : The numbers 12 and 7 hold some deep symbolic meaning for me (smile).
OJL : Who is the animal(s) that you like ?
Milla Ménager : Real animals ? (laughs). I’m a fan of felines and horses. As for fantastic creatures : it’s the dragon ! (laughs).
OJL : What is your favourite sport(s) ?
Milla Ménager : I’m not sporty in the traditional sense… But I love to dance, run, jump, and to do some gymnastics (smile).
OJL : Well, it is not so bad. What brand(s) do you like ?
Milla Ménager : I’m not attached to any specific brand. If a creator – even one who isn’t very well known – inspires me and creates something incredible : then why not ? They also deserve public attention and support.
OJL : You are right. Which quote(s) or sentence(s) do you appreciate ?
Milla Ménager : Well, I have 4 quotes that I would like to share with you :
_1. « When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. » (Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist).
_2. “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”(Lao Tzu).
_3. “Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”(Carl Gustav Jung).
_4. “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”(Walt Disney).
OJL : Lastly, which super-hero(s) or even super-villain(s), do you admire ?
Milla Ménager : I admire the greatness of the Creator of the Universe of Light and Love : our Lord. If only I could respond in this way (smile).
OJL : Let’s talk a bit about you now. What can you tell us about yourself ?
Milla Ménager : My name is Liudmila (Milla) Ménager. I was born in 1986 in Vladimir, Russia. And today I live in a picturesque province near Vitré, in Brittany – a region evoked by Victor Hugo in “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”.
Thirteen years ago, France and Brittany turned my life upside down, revealing to me my true destiny…
I started over from scratch, with unconditional love for this land and an unchanged dream: to bring goodness, to serve others, and to make people dream through my art.
The more obstacles I overcome and the more battles I fight to pursue the profession of my dreams, the more I cherish the value of my progress and achievements.
As I walk this path—at times difficult, but always enriching—I gradually discover the true essence of creativity. It is on this journey that I find serenity and harmony, allowing myself to create simply because it brings me joy. Brittany—mysterious and enchanting—drew me in as if my soul had always belonged there.
OJL : Who are the professionals who made you ? Those who struck you ? In a few names and in a few words.
Milla Ménager : I’ve been deeply shaped by a variety of artists whose work resonates with the inner worlds I strive to express — especially those whose journeys reflect resilience, identity, and imagination.
_Vladislav Yarko
A Ukrainian painter, impressed me with his vibrant use of colour and spiritual symbolism. His work feels like a visual meditation — a celebration of life in the face of adversity. I see art as a similar force of resilience in my own journey as a newcomer.
_Erin Hanson
With her “Open Impressionism,” gave me the courage to let go of strict realism and explore emotional landscapes through bold colours and expressive textures. Her luminous world showed me that freedom in technique can reflect freedom in spirit.
_Guergui Chichkine
A Russian-born illustrator living in France, inspires me with his poetic and refined linework. His nostalgic, Slavic-infused universe reminds me of my own roots, and his career proves how traveling can enrich rather than limit an artist’s voice.
_Sandrine Géstin
Helped me fully embrace my romantic-fantasy style. Her fairy-tale universes showed me how delicacy, femininity, and imagination can be powerful creative tools for telling meaningful stories.
_Evgénia Miro
With her fluid, dreamlike illustrations, revealed to me how visual storytelling can express deep emotional truths and psychological journeys. Her work feels like a bridge between the conscious and subconscious – much like my own use of art as a form of therapy.
And most importantly, I am incredibly grateful to Liudmila Varlamova and Rinat Animaev – two great Russian-born painters and my teachers, who have personally guided my path. Rinat has lived in Dinard, French Brittany, for over 35 years. I had the honour of interviewing them both, and their words, as much as their artwork, left a profound impact on my philosophy and on my creativity.
Liudmila Varlamova’s mastery of character design and artistic sensitivity taught me to pay close attention to emotional detail and authenticity.
Rinat Animaev, with his deep knowledge of composition and classical painting and drawing, inspired me to explore the link between timeless storytelling and contemporary themes. They were more than teachers – they believed in me at a time when I was still finding my place as an artist.
These professionals – each in their own way – helped me forge my own hybrid path : between tradition and innovation, between roots and reinvention, between illustration and healing.
OJL : Let’s talk now about your works. What do you do ?
Milla Ménager : Although I hold a degree in architecture, it is in France that I became a painter, illustrator, author, book creator, visual arts and a French teacher, as well as a translator-interpreter and a journalist – the full palette of my favorite professions ! (smile).
Before moving to France in 2013, I had begun training as a corporate coach and trainer, driven by a passion for teaching and personal development.
At the same time, with my background in architecture, I had been practicing art for many years. As a result, all my artistic knowledge and experience enrich my teaching practice and have become a powerful pedagogical tool – art coaching – which allows emotions and feelings to be expressed in ways that go beyond words, through art.
Today, I teach visual arts to both adults and children of all levels. I organize creative workshops for associations and individuals, and I also work in schools and learning centers to help students progress in French through artistic expression.
OJL : How could you describe your style ?
Milla Ménager : I would define the style I primarily work in as romantic fantasy. A few years ago, I began to move away from realism and leaned more toward fairy-tale illustration.
I’ve always wanted to learn how to fully express my thoughts and ideas through fine art. It is not easy… But anything can be mastered step by step, if you truly wish to.
I try to portray the Universe in all its beauty, drawing inspiration from portraiture, landscapes, architecture, and fantasy.
OJL : Which techniques do you use ?
Milla Ménager : I work with various painting techniques, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, soft and oil pastels, as well as digital painting.
OJL : Is it possible to ask you for a custom product ?
Milla Ménager : Yes, absolutely ! I work on commission and create custom artworks tailored to each customer’s wishes.
I paint family portraits, symbolic “happiness portraits” that serve as personal talismans, as well as landscapes, magic illustrations.
I also illustrate books for publishers and private clients, design sketches for tattoos and custom cards etc…
In addition to my artistic work, I teach fine arts and offer online French lessons. Feel free to contact me with your ideas and I’d be happy to bring them to life !
OJL : Why art, and what is art for you ?
Milla Ménager : For me, art is so much more than just art—it’s a powerful tool, both educational and therapeutic.
I develop my cultural projects around my books, integrating art coaching. Drawn to art therapy – perhaps due to the legacy of my healer ancestors – I began to wonder whether art could offer something deeper.
This question became central, especially during 2020 and 2022, when I temporarily lost the desire to work with colour… To reconnect with my vital energy, I started creating drawings inspired by legends and the cultural heritage of Brittany.
This gave birth to two colouring and storybooks: a guide to the Brittany region and its sequel : “A Christmas in the Forest of Brocéliande”.
The wooden Butai theater (Kamishibai) allowed me to bring together several disciplines: teaching art, writing stories, and using theater as a pedagogical tool – for learning French and building self-confidence, both in children and adults.
As an illustrator and author, I strive to show the beauty of human relationships that have the potential to make our world a better place.
“The Princess and the Beast: The Mirror of Truth” is my first book as both author and illustrator, and it turned out to be almost prophetic for the prototype of its main character… It’s a philosophical fairy tale that continues the legendary story of love, devotion, friendship, forgiveness, and harmony.
Inspired by the personal history and photos of Princess Bagration-Moukhransky (and more recently Princess Andronnikov) – an iconic princess of the post-Soviet world who endured life’s many trials as an exiled crossing the globe – as well as my travel impressions.
This story is a kind of a message to all girls and women who may have temporarily lost confidence in themselves, but who are destined to rise again. In my fairy tale, the princess doesn’t wait for the prince to save her – she rushes headlong into adventure, seeking the mysterious “Mirror of Truth”. The core message is simple yet powerful : “if one truly wishes, they can do anything – even break free from the deepest curse”.
OJL : Do you believe that your character played a key role in making your dreams come true?
Milla Ménager : My character shaped my destiny… in France.
My parents tried to steer me away from my artist and poet spirit, preferring that I follow a “normal profession” from economist to… architect. But my perseverance prevailed. Secretly, at night, I created my own books – from text to illustrations – expressing all my love for literature and drawing… despite the lack of parental support.
I never imagined that Providence would one day give me the chance to fulfill my dream: to create my own fairy tale universe. In France, my in-laws did not take my artistic aspirations seriously. Despite my training in architecture, I had to learn on my own, with ups and downs, but art remained my refuge.
As I approached my thirties, my motivation changed; time started to hold a different value… Years of hard work finally paid off: I received recognition from international juries, but the most precious remains that of the public. At the same time, I ventured into publishing in France. Currently, I am studying at university to become a teacher of French as a Foreign Language (FLE).
OJL : Is it possible to subscribe to your newsletter ? Because the social networks are a bit… saturated.
Milla Ménager : Not yet. But you can follow me there :
_My facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/MillaMenager.art/
_My blog : https://lespeinturesdelu.over-blog.com/
_My Instagram account : https://www.instagram.com/millamenager.art/
_My tipee account : https://fr.tipeee.com/lumena
_My Youtube channel : https://www.youtube.com/@Milla_Menager
OJL : Do you have an anecdote about one of your products ? Or about one of your sales ?
Milla Ménager : Yes, I have several !
One of my favourite stories is about a family portrait I painted on commission…
The family wanted a piece that captured not only their appearances but also the happiness and warmth they share…
When they received the portrait… They told me it felt like a tangible memory… And it brought tears of joy to their eyes…
That moment made me realize just how powerful art can be in connecting people emotionally…
Another memorable experience was with a client who commissioned illustrations for a children’s book…
After receiving the illustrations, she told me that her daughter was so inspired, she started drawing her own stories…
It was incredible to see how my work could ignite creativity in others… Especially in young minds…
I’ve also created some tattoo sketches for clients who were looking for symbols of protection and happiness…
One young woman shared that wearing the tattoo I designed not only gave her strength during a difficult time, but also led her to meet her soulmate ! It’s humbling to know that my art can accompany people through such personal and transformative moments.
OJL : Last question. You surely have some friends who are making wonders ! If you would like to promote them, this is your time !
Milla Ménager : With great pleasure! I would like to talk about two of them :
_ Princess Karina Andronikov Bagration :
My friend and my Muse: an exiled Princess, a war survivor, a public figure, a storyteller, a PhD. : https://www.facebook.com/karina.bagrationmoukhransky
_ Daria Krukova :
Manager and head chef of the vegetarian restaurant ‘Namoovert’, a true kitchen fairy with whom I launched the ‘Art-Café’ project : https://www.instagram.com/namoovert/
OJL : Congratulations for everything you do. May Our Lady protects you.
Milla Ménager : Thank you.
Omertà
