Vladimir Dimitrov - Maistora (Maistora stands for The Master) is one of the most famous and profound Bulgarian artists. Born in smal Bulgarian village near Kyustendil on 1st February 1882. Living the hard life of a child born in a Macedonian refugee family, who can barely survive financially, he drops out of school early and works several diferent jobs. He works as servant, selling newspapers and as a clerk in the local court. Exactly in the local court is where his talent is noticed and by the initiative of a few lawyers and judges his first exhibition takes place in 1903.
As a student he visits Odesa, Moscow, St. Petersburg and venice. Even in his early years as a student his classmates start calling him "Maistora". During the time of the World War I and The Balkan War he works as Artist in the Bulgarian division and paints the Bulgarian contribution and life in the front.
After the wars he becomes and Artist who rejects the academic style in fine arts. Out of the many places where he creates and lives he remains living in a smal village near Kyustendil, Bulgaria. This period of his life is the most productive. During this period he pays big attention to the portrait, landscape, Bulgarian folklore and figural composition. Most of his paintings show the life, culture and customs of the everyday person of that period.
He dies in 1960 in Sofia, Bulgaria from cancer.
Today many of his paintings are in private collections. Nearly 30 of his works are owned by world famous filmstar and 2 of them are in The White House.