Rand studied at the Cowles Art School in Boston and the Art Students League in New York City and produced illustrations for Vogue Magazine and Harper's Weekly before traveling to England and then France to study with sculptor Frederick William MacMonnies.

Rand's primary studio was in New York City but she would also work in Salisbury, Connecticut where her family lived.

Rand then attended the William Merritt Chase's Shinnecock Hills Summer School of Art.

Rand focused her energy and output on painting portraits of corporate directors, society women, politicians, scientists, professors, lawyers and artists in the United States.

After his death, the portrait was moved to the Roosevelt estate and future FDR Library in Hyde Park, NY.

It is unclear exactly why such a move was made, although there are letters exchanged between President Harry Truman and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt concerning the transfer of the portrait.

Rand was the first woman awarded a Beck Gold Medal by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.