Helen Hyde traveled far and wide for artistic inspiration, landing in France, India, Japan, China, Mexico, and elsewhere to study with a variety of artists. Among her mentors was printmaker Emil Orlick, who introduced her to the Japanese printmaking medium and compositional style. As well, Hyde took great inspiration from the family-oriented works of Mary Cassat; between these two sources she produced some of her strongest and most recognizable work.

Having been diagnosed with cancer Hyde traveled to Mexico in 1911 with her friend, artist Edith Emerson, seeking a warmer climate. She became fascinated with the patterns and designes of the culture and her palette changed a bit and her prints had more defined linear elements.

Because of the Revolution, travel was restricted and she stayed primarily in Mexico City in the old town section of San Angel, where she did many watercolors to be done as woodcuts on her return to Japan in 1912.