alex krastev

Alex Krastev's River Bears

Behind every carefully crafted collab there's an even more carefully crafted art process. Highlighted in this drop are artist Alex Krastev's sick and detailed River Bears. Krastev is known for his surf and ski art brad Future Seas. He's an artist, surfer, avid skier, and all around cool dude. His fascinating journey started on the Black Sea of Bulgaria, then Morocco, Canada, Hawaii, and Southern California, always immersed in surf, skate and snow culture. He currently calls Biarritz, France home where he continues to expand his creative artistic vision.

You can follow his journey on Instagram @Future_Seas

Collection of T-shirts for Quiksilver 2020 curated by Alex Krastev.

Alex Krastev is a mixed-media artist originally based out of Huntington Beach, California.

The fascinating journey that started at the Black Sea, via Morocco, Canada and ended in California, offers insight of his artistic vision.

Alex joined Quiksilver’s Huntington Beach creative team in 2004 and since three years he is residing in the beautiful French surf town of Biarritz, continuing the Life of the Mountain and the Wave.

This collection is a reflection of his journey
and memories from his three favorite places.
For more of his art visit:

@future_seas
@alexkrastevdesigns

Le Plongeoire is the name of the newly opened Roof top Cocktail Bar, Restaurant and Pool area.

Located in the majestic Cote des Basque in Biarritz, Basque Country - France.

Alex Krastev was invited to create a branding package for the Newly opened Rooftop Pool Bar for Hotel Radisson Blue Biarritz.

Inspired by the shape of the rooftop pool and the name “plongeoire” meaning jumping board in french, the logo includes a silhouette of a lady in a traditional french striped swimsuit, elegant typography and a sunset icon.

I’ve created the logo, backsplash for the pool, all street signage, menus and T-shirts and sweatshirts package and of course the landing pages and Instagram icon package.

Instagram:

@leplongeoirbiarritz

Web:

www.leplongeoire-biarritz.fr

I became the in house guest artist for Pasea Hotel and Spa, I created the coffee shop “Blend” back splash art wall, in addition I designed the one of a kind magnetic room keys with my art printed on, and to finish, I hand painted 14 branded Yamaha guitars with my art available for the guests in all the 13 suites of Pasea Hotel and Spa.

People ask me, How did I get this project?!

I respond:

I knocked on the door, and I asked to meet and show them my art!

The rest is history and countless hours of sketches, art, mock ups, prints and presentations and at the end the pleasure to walk in such a luxury Hotel and see my art inside and on every single room key!

If you reading this, a Big Thank you!

Alex Krastev

Note: All Photos/Blueprints/Architectural renderings © their respective owners.

Check This Video:

https://vimeo.com/181648624

I was invited to be one of the 2 graphic artists from Quiksilver to create the two year long on going project of designing the character apparel line for Netflix / Stranger Things and Quiksilver Collaboration. Speared by Andrew Henry and Ronnie Rayes, I was in charge of many key items worn by the actors. All graphics and art belongs to their respective copyright owners. I just …drew the illustrations and the art…. ;) All items may be purchased at www.quiksilver.com web page if not sold out by now! Enjoy the show!

I got selected to create the wall art for the Whole Foods in the Bella Terra Shopping Mall in Huntington Beach, and the Renovation of The Whole Foods In Santa Monica on Montana Ave. Thank you!

ENDLESS TRIP

ENDLESS TRIP
Coastal-utility story by Quiksilver 2020 range/S420
Inspired by adventures over land and sea, and stylish living.
Designed-by-Subtraction.
The ENDLESS TRIP is mellow & stylized,
with a focus on time-tested print and graphic themes.
The print suite includes a groovy, hand-painted variations of Geo, native floral, timeless paisley and garments that makes you look cool!
Story by Ronnie Rayes & Matt Cater
Art by Alex Krastev @future_seas

Credits:
Photo by Ryan Heywood / Surfer Andy Nieblas
Screenshot Surfers Of Bali SOB

The Mystic Session was the name of the Brief of Quiksilver that stretched for 3 years during the pandemic. The following pages are prints and tees I created during the pandemic, from my home office in Biarritz / France. For 3 years I went to the Head Quarters of Quiksilver maximum 5 times. What I’ve learned from this period of time, is not where you work from, is How you work and adapt to every situation. Cheers, Alex… Oh yeah…Simple Pleasures was another kinda of a mini brief/story that I contributed with some cool art I believe…

Vortex

Quiksilver’s new Rave Wave collection is a modern take on the 90’s counterculture of surfing, skating, music, raves and festivals.

Art Directed by Matt Cater and Ronnie Reyes.

The Vortex is the hero focal point in this collection, taking inspiration from the recurrent Rave Flyers art found in most underground scenes in the 90’s.

The Vortex “Rave Wave Flyer” collage pattern is hand made by Alex Krastev, using his specially designed “surf rave flyers art” that you can see on the first slide. The final pattern combines the art and typography from the rest of the art team and also a few graphics taken directly from Quiksilver’s 90’s archives. It’s a collaborative art.

Alex Krastev’s art contribution to the Threads and Fins Collection.

Art directed by Matt Cater and Ronnie Reyes.

Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang, Bali is an iconic contest in a majestic location.

Rip Curl put together a contest for the 10th anniversary Contest Poster and product that comes along.

It was open to all global Rip Curl employees to participate for the best design contest.

The winner goes to Bali for a week during the opening ceremony on Rip Curl’s dime.

I won, I stayed 2 weeks, and it was one of the best solo trips I’ve ever been!

Big thanks to Rip Curl Bali, James Handy, Gully for helping me out with the ideas, Petri for hooking up a DHD ready in Bali….and all the

friends I met along the way there! Thank you!

P.S. 3 weeks after…I returned to Bali for 14 days…as part of the design team for Rip Curl’s annual design camp.

Take me back!

Artwork and designs, created by Alex Krastev in 2013 as Sr. Graphic Designer and part of the Rip Curl Global design team in Uluwatu-Bali.

Pasea Hotel and Spa, Is the latest luxury Boutique Hotel in Huntington Beach, Ca.

When I saw the concrete foundation being poured, I contacted the Marketing Manager to see if they’ll be interested in my art to decorate the premises of the future hotel… the rest is history!

The following is one of the presentation I put together to sell my idea to the Hotel management.

They provided me with their working color chart and architectural renderings and I managed to convince them!

Page 2,3, and architectural drawing provided by hotel.

All art Copyrighted ©2021 Alex Krastev. All Rights Reserved.

Thanks

Alex

Side projects I’ve done in the past few years.

Even I avoid doing freelance work, a few good friends come up with great projects and need help branding their new product or service.

Some of these projects are really interesting and appealing which makes it hard to say No to…Sunday Collab is a great example, I love coffee, good coffee, and having an organic coffee label art is something that came up naturally! The Leahi Voyager and the Hawaii Glass bottom boat tour logo, it’s just cool Idea of an Anchor combined with an Iwa bird…and so and so…. If you want to stand out from the crowd with your branding, please contact me! I’ll do my best to do a killer job!

Poster design, created by Alex Krastev, for the Rip Curl Cup at Padang Padang - Bali. This was an all Rip Curl employee contest for best design, the winner was going to go to Bali for 2 weeks.  This design won, I went to Bali. Teri Makasi.

I had the privilege to get invited and show my artwork and represent the California Surf Art scene at the 2016 Green Room Festival, in Yokohama-Japan. I am blessed and thankful for this experience. Thank you

“Skate and Create”

I love skate art!

In fact before doing any surf art, I was sketching and redrawing every single skate logo….as a kid.

It only took me, twenty years to bring my passion to reality… but better late, than never!

The following skateboards were created for the Southern California local brands: Riviera, Madrid, Carver from 2009-2015.

All art © Alex Krastev, All Rights Reserved.

In 2016 my art got featured in four of the best Japanese Surf and Design lifestyle magazines: Blue, Coast Line, California Style and one more I can't translate.  In 2013 I got a 14 pages spread in the book "Surf Graphics" published by Korero-United Kingdom. Thank you