He was also a benefactor of the Western artist Harold Dow Bugbee, who became curator of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, Texas in 1951.

In 1894 he traveled to Europe, briefly staying in London before moving to Paris, where he studied at the Académie Julian.

Their first stop was Denver, Colorado, where they bought art and camping supplies, a wagon, horses, and a revolver.

Blumenschein rode out on horseback to nearby Taos, New Mexico to have the wheel repaired, while Phillips waited with the wagon.

After Blumenschein returned with the repaired wheel three days later, they continued on to Taos, where they sold their horse and equipage, set up a studio, and began to paint.

[2] The Society was founded in the dining room of Phillips' in-laws, Doc and Helen Martin, who was herself a batik artist.