Artist Kiril Jeliazkov

Kiril Jeliazkov is an international artist who paints big—and dreams even bigger. He is best known for The Orange Step, a monumental series of 128 abstract paintings, each towering at 22 feet high. Signed with his vivid orange footprint, the project is the largest outdoor painting installation of its kind. Kiril’s bold vision: to make art accessible to all.

The Orange Step debuted in his hometown of Yambol, Bulgaria, and has since traveled to iconic locations including Savannah’s Forsyth Park, the PGA Honda Classic in Palm Beach, and Washington, DC’s Embassy Row. His work represented Bulgaria at the United Nations, joining artists from 50 countries in an international exhibition.

A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (BFA and MFA), Kiril studied on a full Presidential Scholarship after rigorous training in Bulgaria’s top fine arts academies. His global travels—in Africa, South America, and across Europe—continue to inspire his expressive, vibrant style. 

Kiril’s art is collected around the world, and during the pandemic, his exploration of human figures earned him recognition as a sought-after portrait artist, with clients ranging from celebrities to royals. Now based in Washington, DC, Kiril travels internationally for exhibitions and commissions. His next large-scale project—still under wraps—promises to surpass The Orange Step in both size and charitable impact, uniting two of his deepest passions: art and giving back.

Most recently, Kiril partnered with prestigious automotive brands Aston Martin and Bentley, becoming their official artist for Washington, DC. Over the past two years, he has custom-created hundreds of original paintings for their clientele.