Mrs. Barchus’ inspiration for this painting came from one painted by Julian Rix, a well-known California artist. Rix had several of his paintings included in John Muir’s important nearly 500-page art illustrated publication Picturesque California: The Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Slope (1888), including this painting on page 460 which is titled Home of the Pioneer. Note that Barchus took the liberty to add a drinking well to her composition.