In general, the influence of Anglo patrons has been much less pronounced on Hispanic arts than on American Indian arts. The art forms practiced by the early Hispanics were shaped largely from resources they found in their natural environment. Using native woods such as aspen or pine, paints derived from natural pigments, and other local materials, they created utilitarian goods and religious objects to adorn their homes and churches. The Hispanic crafts revival was confined to a much shorter period of time: beginning in the early 1920’s, reaching its peak in the late 1930’s, and dying down by World War II, less than 20 years. During this period, in spite of the enthusiasm of the wealthy Anglo patrons in northern New Mexico, Hispanic crafts never “caught on” nationally in the way American Indian crafts did. Interest was fairly well limited to the Southwest and Southern California, the areas in which the Adobe hacienda revival was taking place. The major interest in Hispanic crafts was as furnishing for these comfortable Southwestern-style adobe homes. These crafts were not, as were American Indian crafts, viewed as valuable art objects in themselves purchased with an eye for speculation. Hispanic arts to a great degree have been ignored by the speculative Anglo art market.

     A beneficial consequence of this oversight is that the artisans have been freer to work according to their own standards and within their own traditions. Ranging from carved images of saints, furniture and textiles, to works in tin, iron, silver and straw, the art of the Spanish colonial era remains the art of many families who have practiced the traditional techniques for generations. Meanwhile, other contemporary Hispanic artists have carried the artistic legacy of their ancestors to new levels of excellence by working in more modern media including sculpture, photography, painting, jewelry, literature and more that reflect the ongoing evolution of Hispanic arts and culture. Though modern and contemporary, their work has not been “emptied of previous vital meanings” and become a meaningless revival, as has so much ethnic art of this day. Rather it has remained as an object of cultural pride and identity and not simply the product of the tastes and demands of art market.

Depression drains your energy, hope, and drive, making it difficult to take the steps that will help you to feel better. Sometimes, just thinking about the things you should do to feel better, like exercising or spending time with friends, can seem exhausting or impossible to put into action. It’s the Catch-22 of depression recovery: the things that help the most are the things that are the most difficult to do. There is a big difference, however, between something that’s difficult and something that’s impossible. While recovering from depression isn’t quick or easy, you do have more control than you realize—even if your depression is severe and stubbornly persistent. The key is to start small and build from there. You may not have much energy, but by drawing on all your reserves, you should have enough to take a walk around the block or pick up the phone to call a loved one, for example. Taking the first step is always the hardest. But going for a walk or getting up and dancing to your favorite music, for example, is something you can do right now. And it can substantially boost your mood and energy for several hours—long enough to put a second recovery step into action, such as preparing a mood-boosting meal or arranging to meet an old friend.

          It’s lasted through good times that filled us with joy, and hard times that tested us. And I’ve even gotten a few words in along the way. On Tuesday night, I was so happy to see that my Explainer-in-Chief is still __21__ the job. I’m also grateful to the rest of my family and the friends of a lifetime. To all of you whose hard work brought us here tonight. And to those of you who joined our campaign this week. And __22__ a remarkable week it’s been! We heard the man from Hope, Bill Clinton. And the man of Hope, Barack Obama. America is stronger because of President Obama’s leadership, and I’m __23__ because of his friendship. We heard from our terrific vice president, the one-and-only Joe Biden, who spoke __24__ his big heart about our party’s commitment __25__ working people. First Lady Michelle Obama reminded us that our children are watching, and the president we elect is going to be their president, too.