Early Nuevomexicanos built their homes from the earth, using adobe bricks of mud (zoquete) and straw. After the bricks are stacked and mortared with more mud, plasterers (zoqueteros) put on a finished coat of natural plaster. Additional plastering (enjarre) must be done on a regular basis to preserve the stability of the structure. This process still exists to this day as an effective way of using the surrounding natural resources in a climate-adapted way.

Blumenschein painted several scenes of plasterers, typically based on Taos handyman Epimenio Tenorio, who modeled for him.