Tora Aghabayova
Principles of Drawing and Painting
Drawing and Painting II
Drawing and Painting III

Tora Aghabayova is, by all accounts, a fascinating and intriguing artist.  Whether she's creating a new painting in her studio, playing piano, designing and building sets and props for a local theater company, animating a feature film, illustrating popular children's magazines, or directing the art department of an internationally-recognized design firm, art and creation infuse every aspect of her being.  Tora inherited her love and respect for art from her father, a well-known Azerbaijani painter, and her own love affair with the arts began when she was just a little girl, studying piano, dance, and painting from the tender age of five.  She started painting seriously at the age of 13 when she was accepted into the Baku Academy of Arts for children.  Each year, her love for arts and design grew stronger, carrying her on through a bachelor's degree in fine arts at Azerbaijan State Art University and later her master's degree in painting at the prestigious Azerbaijan Art Academy.  After graduation, Tora embarked upon a wondrous journey through the world of professional arts and design that continues today.  Working first for several years at the nationally acclaimed Azan Film Company, Tora honed her skills as a storyboarder, animator, color designer, character creator, and assistant director.  The following two years were spent designing, illustrating, and editing at Forsage, Azerbaijan's popular automobile magazine.  The next three years would bring her closest to her passion for creation as head of the art department for Little Dwarf children's magazine.  There, she was fully engaged in the creative process, developing characters and story lines, designing, illustrating, and supervising the staff of the art department.  The past few years have found Tora focusing on feature films and television commercials at such well-known studios as Veit Helmer Film Production Co., Cabbarli Cinema, and Top Dog Productions, where her duties and responsibilities have included those of concept artist, set and prop designer, painter, illustrator, art director, photographer, photo producer, editor, special effects and art department manager, and assistant producer.  Tora's video art and paintings have been exhibited internationally at such venues as the following:

2007   Biennale of Venice
2007   Personal exhibition in "Misheka" street art gallery, Berlin, Germany
2006   International exhibition in Modern Arts museum, Moscow, Russia
2005   Aluminium 2 International Contemporary art exhibition, Baku, Azerbaijan
2003   More Transparent, Georgian-Azeri Artists exhibition, Baku, Azerbaijan
2003   Aluminium Art + New Technologies International Contemporary art exhibition, Baku
2003   Caravan Sarai International Forum of Visual Art & Art Events, Tbilisi, Georgia
2003   3rd International Student Triennial, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
2000   Wings of Time Contemporary Art Exhibition, Baku, Azerbaijan
1999   Evraziya-99 International Art Exhibition, Moscow, Russia

Come and partake of the magical world of drawing and painting taught by a seasoned and passionate artist, Tora Aghabayova, who will inspire and intrigue the artist within you.  Tora is a warm and patient teacher who naturally creates a supportive environment in the classroom.

Some examples of Tora's work; click on any image to enlarge.

Click below to go back to course description:
Principles of Drawing and Painting
Drawing and Painting II
Drawing and Painting III