Editorial – Issue 78
Diving into What Is Real
JENNIFER GÓMEZ | Co-Founder The Guide Artists
There are months that put us to the test. November has been one of them. Between projects, changes and challenges, this issue was born from a deeper process than usual, one that reminded us why we do what we do and why we continue to believe in art as both refuge and truth.
At The Guide Artists we have learned that behind every step we take there is struggle, emotion, doubt and the occasional fall, yet we always rise again and continue moving forward. That is why this issue is, more than ever, a tribute to authenticity, to the real artists who are unafraid to show their vulnerability and to the stories built from honesty.
Our cover embodies this perfectly: Marissa Oosterlee. Her art, intense, technical and profoundly human, reflects that search for truth that we value so deeply. Her portraits, often submerged in water, invite us to look beyond the surface. In every face she paints there is a calm that arrives after the storm, a reminder that beauty is not found in perfection but in the sincerity of the process.
Perhaps that is why we resonated with her so strongly this month. As a team, we too have felt that ebb and flow between what we show and what we hold within. We have faced moments of uncertainty, reclaimed our direction and rediscovered the importance of listening to our intuition. In those quiet pauses that life sometimes forces upon us, we realized that growth rarely comes from comfort. It comes from looking inward, from questioning, from stepping into the unknown with conviction even when the outcome is not yet clear.
And just like Marissa, we have discovered that when one dares to pause, to breathe and to face what is truly there, something more genuine emerges. The noise settles, clarity returns and the work finds its own rhythm. This issue reflects that process. It is an edition shaped not only by the artists who are part of it but also by the path we walked to bring it to life.
This issue is our way of thanking all of you who accompany us, read us, support us and believe in this project, even during the difficult months. Your presence reminds us that what we do has meaning, that there is a place for figurative art and for the voices that defend it with passion.
To you, and to the artists who continue creating from the heart, we dedicate these pages. May they inspire you, move you and remind you that creativity is one of the few forces capable of transforming even our darkest days.
Because art, like water, teaches us that we can always find our way back to motion.
Even when everything seems still, something inside us keeps searching for the light.
ISSUE 78 / NOVEMBER 2025
ON THE COVER | MARISSA OOSTERLEE
The Guide Artists is founded on the belief that art is universal and should be enjoyed. As a leading global art publication, we explore the creative possibilities of visual art while showcasing and supporting the world’s finest painters and sculptors. Through exclusive interviews, artwork features, and how-to articles, our mission is to entertain, inspire, and inform. A publication like this requires more than strong writing and layout—it demands passion, energy, and a deep commitment to visual storytelling. Visit our magazine for print version.
