T.M. Straus grew up in Brooklyn, NY. She learned to draw in High School, thanks to a scholarship at The Cooper Union, She joined “The League“, in NYC, In the 1980s she worked as the Assistant to the Creative Director, of a medium sized advertising agency. Straus collaborated with many photographers, illustrators, directors, and models. She returned to school, earning a: BA, MA, and NY State/City Certificates to teach Art, K - 12.

During the 1990s, Straus taught high school art and exhibited drawings and paintings in NYC, In her 40s, she set up a painting studio in the Hudson Valley. Today, she maintains east and west coast homes. She exhibits widely including; museums, galleries, and public spaces.