Cover Artist: Rose West

Rose West is a young portrait and figurative painter exploring themes of emerging feminine identity through oils. She started school in New York City where she spent her early childhood visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art with her parents, cultivating a deep love for classical and contemporary portraiture. In 2017, she moved to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, where she is now a rising early senior at Waccamaw High School, focusing on 2D studio art and art history in the Visual Arts program.

Each summer, Rose attends the Savannah College of Art and Design’s Pre-College Program to expand her technical skills and deepen her understanding of creative career pathways. This year, she joined the Portrait Society of America, gaining inspiration and mentorship through faculty demonstrations and portfolio reviews by professional artists at their annual conference.

About the Painting: Golden Beach

Golden Beach is a self-portrait featuring the artist alongside her beloved dog, Moose, on the sands of Pawleys Island. Painted in oils with warm, diffused tones, the work captures a quiet moment of companionship under a softly clouded sky. Rose’s attentive gaze and Moose’s calm presence evoke their unspoken bond, grounded in loyalty and love. The mood of tenderness and belonging, reflects the artist’s ongoing exploration of identity, connection, and the comfort found in simple moments shared with the people and animals who anchor us.