Welcome back to our International Artist Series!
Today we're catching up with seven amazing artists from Bulgaria, the beautiful country west of the Black Sea. I asked each artist how their country and culture inspired their work, and they delivered great responses.
Trifon Andreev
Trifon is a self-taught illustrator from Plovdiv, Bulgaria. His unique dot-line style combines black and white textures for a stunning graphic look.
Check out his work below, and see more in his portfolio.
A Higher Place Art Print
My artwork is often based on lyrics or old legends that I've heard from my grandparents.
Spreading the Disease Dotwork Illustration
I graduated from high school this year, and now I'm working hard on my portfolio.
My dream is to one day create artwork for my favorite bands like Mastodon and Kvelertak. I have already made some pieces for a local band that I admire, and I am really proud of the results.
Divine Comedy Dotwork Illustration - Details
Diamonds Aren't Forever
My hometown is an amazing place. We have a strong creative community, too. A lot of young people are trying to build something new and different.
Katina Peeva
Katina is an artist from Sofia, Bulgaria. She makes amazing creatures out of clay and paper and even creates gorgeous illustrations.
Check out her work below, and see more in her portfolio.
Miles
What I love about Bulgaria is the nature, the mountains and the old villages have preserved their authentic spirit.
I love Sofia because of its small alleys with their special atmosphere, especially in the city's center. I also love the warm and generous people you can meet everywhere.
Paper Monsters
For me, the Bulgarian folklore is a great source of inspiration. I love the magic fairy tales, the mythology and the fantastic stories about all the different strange creatures.
Village
The Nutcracker
I hope that someday I will have the time and opportunity to do illustrations based on more Bulgarian tales.
Denis Angelov
Denis is an illustrator from Sofia, Bulgaria. His illustration style mixes cool colors with fluid shapes. Enjoy his unique eye and point of view.
Check out his work below, or see more in his portfolio.
He's a Punk Illustration
Growing up in a small town, I have always felt like I could be more creative and productive in a peaceful environment. As a graphic designer in a digital advertising agency, both my work and personal projects seem to come out better when my mind is at peace, which is here in Bulgaria.
A Really Busy Businessman Looking at His Shoe
I mostly focus on form, color, aesthetic and atmosphere for my work. I believe these are important things illustrators should have in mind while working on a project.
Fall Illustration
Personal Work
Ever since I moved to Sofia six years ago I have had various developments in my opinion on the art community here. Overall, I have come to realize that the community is very supportive.
We have some amazing and talented contemporary illustrators and there are often group exhibitions here in Sofia where you can participate and display your work. And that's honestly what's so good about it—you feel motivated to be productive because there is always a need for different points of views.
Radostina Georgieva
Radostina is a graphic designer from Sofia, Bulgaria. She's passionate about branding and creates brilliant branding packages with a vibrant minimalist style.
Check out her work below and see more in her portfolio.
Sofiabeats Logo
I love the beaches, the mountains, the beautiful nature and the tasty food. I live in Sofia, the capital city, and I really like that people here know how to balance work and social life. After a day in the office there is nothing better than a beer in the park with some friends.
Publishing House Branding
When it comes to style, I would say I am influenced by worldwide design movements and international artists.
Typography Compositions
Oxygen Fitness Center Branding
We have a really strong design community here, I`ve met a lot of new friends on the regular meet ups and workshops.
Sofia is full of young creatives, design events, exhibitions and workshops so inspiration is easy to find. This has helped me improve my skills and develop lots of professional connections.
Hristian Ivanov
Hristian is a concept artist based in Lukovit, Bulgaria. His awesome 3D style features futuristic concepts you'll wish were real.
Check out his work below and see more in his portfolio.
Adidas Concept
I really love the nature in Bulgaria. Even when you travel by train or car, you'll see impressive views looking out the window.
Concepts 02
The first thing that probably influenced me was my grandfather's drawings, but I guess my curiosity about art also came from inside.
I come from a small town and thanks to internet I've learned a lot. I feel I've now opened myself to the greater art world.
Helmet Concepts
Robotic Character
The Bulgarian art community is pretty strong. There are a lot of talented people in different areas of art. It's not a big country but I try to contribute with whatever I can, and give directions and tips.
Gergana Stankova
Gergana is a pattern and textile designer from Sofia, Bulgaria. Her gorgeous patterns feature designs inspired by Bulgarian culture and traditional embroidery.
Check out her work below and see more in her portfolio.
Inspired by Bulgarian Motifs No.8
I love how much potential there is around here. There are more and more people returning to Bulgaria once they've completed their education abroad. You can now feel a new vibe in so many ways. I hope it will lead to a visible change
Shevitza Geometrics Design #9
My work in particular is strongly influenced by the cultural heritage of Bulgaria. I research archaic textile figures and base my designs on the challenge to turn them into contemporary graphics.
3D Printed Jewellery
SilkShevitza Packaging
I am in awe of the systematic techniques behind old craftsmanship and have been looking for direct inspiration from it for the last five years.
Luckily, the community here is big enough to always have someone to collaborate with yet small enough that everyone knows each other.
Boris Stoyanov
Boris is a concept artist from Sofia, Bulgaria. Vibrant and enigmatic, his incredible work features digital illustrations of landscape concepts and game designs.
Check out his work below and see more in his portfolio.
The Cave
The thing I love most about living in Bulgaria is by far the nature. We have a few beautiful mountains and quite a few awesome forests. I live in the capital right next to Vitosha mountain, so a nice trek through nature is only a few minutes away.
The Dawn of The New World Children's Book illustrations
The region has definitely affected my thinking process. I'm currently working as a background designer on a folklore-based animation series, so you can say I have started delving a bit further into Bulgarian culture. I am sure that will influence my work in the coming years.
Speed Paintings
The First Kuker Warrior Animation Short
I have started to notice an increasing number of people interested in animation and illustration in Bulgaria. Something that until a few years ago, was considered to be a no prospect field.
Overall, the art community is full of young, positive and super talented people and I am eager to see what they will be doing next!
Many thanks to the artists who took time to answer my questions and share a bit about themselves and how their country and/or culture has affected their work. You can check out more of their work in the links below:
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