Literature: The Painter Lady: Grace Carpenter Hudson, Searles R. Boynton, Interface California Corp, 1978: p. 115. Private collection, Montana Created in 1907 by prominent California painter Grace Carpenter Hudson, The Mystic Symbol depicts two Pomo Indians, Mary Mitchell and Pete McClure, who are shown taking a break—Mary from basketmaking, and Pete from making wampum. In describing the painting, Hudson refers to the Quail Woman, a prominent figure in Pomo culture. “The Quail Woman who taught the Indians basketry bade them use certain symbols for her. She might come at any time and go from top to bottom of the basket and inspect the perfection of the work,” Hudson wrote. “The old folks tell the legend over and over to the young, urging them not to forget or neglect the principles of the beautiful Quail Woman and their ancestors. All designs on a Pomo basket have an opening in the design to allow the Quail Woman to enter the basket and inspect its quality.”