Executive Functions are a series of cognitive skills that allow a person to plan and execute a task or a goal. In this project individuals completed a Executive Function Self Assessment. Their answers were translated into these works of art. Each color corresponds to a different Executive Function skill and how much of that skill each person feels they have.

“I have been gathering the footage for these videos during small moments throughout the day, while at a stoplight, walking my kids into school, running errands, each time asking myself what am I curious about? Then using my senses I find interesting sights or sounds that catch my attention. The effect is similar to the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique, it forces me to slow down and be present in the moment.”

“The state of our nervous system- the funny thing about mindfulness or coping techniques is that if you wait until you need them to try them they actually don’t work very well. You have to find ones that work for you and then repeatedly practice them when you feel calm or calmish. So that in the moment when you feel overwhelmed, and your brain is not working well because it’s overwhelmed your body can step in and use motor memory to help you move through the overwhelm. Part of this project for me has been that. I have a big stack of paper and everyday I freely allow myself to just make marks, using whatever materials I want. I know I am going to cut them up, so this helps me feel less precious about it. Which means that the mark making and the repeated movements become a kind mindfulness practice. One that I hope will kick in, in those moments of overwhelm when I need it.”