Making Cocktails a Work of Art

The best cocktails aren’t always meant to be sipped. Sometimes, they are meant to hang on a wall. Meet Cleveland artist Alison Kraniske, a junior fine arts major at The Ohio State University, who gifted her mother with her gorgeous oil painting of cocktails. It’s a toast that can last forever! 

What inspired you? 
When choosing a subject, I like to think of things that can carry significance or beauty on their own. In conversation with my dad about how much I loved the appearance of glass, he suggested painting cocktails. My mom has always been the biggest supporter of my painting and would look every day to see the progress I was making. 

Everything looks so real. What are the challenges in painting a still life? 
The most challenging part of this composition was not the ice cube, but the glass and liquid. For the ice cube, I was able to do a fuzzy blending technique for the submerged part and used a bit sharper strokes for the part floating above the water. The difficulty of painting glass is that it picks up all of the colors of its surroundings in a very subtle way. The amber liquid was challenging to capture. I used a shocking amount of greens and blues mixed in to get the right saturation on the shadows. 

You painted a Vesper martini and a glass of Angel’s Envy Finished Rye. Are they favorites in your household? 
I certainly do not know my cocktails, but what is important about these is that they are my mom and dad’s favorites. 

Have you ever given the gift of art before?  
I think there is a lot of value in handmade objects. I make specific gifts for people in my life that are very important to me. I do sell a lot of work through school and do some small commissions. Even if someone is paying for my work, the love and effort I put into it hopefully translates as a gift.  

Follow Alison Kraniske's work on Instagram @akraniske_art.

From Canvas to Glass
Like the painting? Shake up the real thing for your glass.

Vesper Martini 
3 oz. gin 
1 oz. vodka 
1/2 oz. Lillet Blanc
Lemon peel, for garnish

Proof Magazine is for Ohio spirit lovers and is produced by Great Lakes Publishing three times a year. Don’t miss an issue by subscribing to Ohio Magazine. View a digital version of the Proof Magazine Holiday 2024 edition here.