Today we’d like to introduce you to Preston Zeller.
Hi Preston, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been an artist my whole life and used my artistry to communicate emotions/thoughts through these mediums, whether that be music, photography, film, or fine arts. So in 2019 when my older brother unexpectedly died from a drug overdose, I knew in the back of my mind that communicating my pain through art would be one of the only ways to see through the mixed emotions of grief. But it wasn’t so simple.
I’m a family man with three young kids and an amazing wife. As the sole provider of my family, I was quick to dismiss my grief and get back to my previous life routine of work and family, but what was left lingering was a broken attachment to my older sibling that I had yet to address or acknowledge properly. I thought grief faded, but it doesn’t – you grow around it.
Later that 2019, I committed to painting every day for a year to process my own grief and emotion. The idea is that each day would provide a snapshot of my brain and allow me to better understand myself. The paintings were done in an intuitive abstract style – no thought, just pure emotion being let out onto the canvas. Part of the end result would be a giant mosaic, 10ft x20ft, creating an entirely new image of what it feels like to move through grief.
I also set out at the same time to create a documentary sharing my process and learnings. I had some idea of what that could be but just committed for the time being to paint for that year, as well as share these paintings on social to spur conversation about grief.
In late 2021, we finished post-production on the documentary, The Art of Grieving, and it kicked off a new chapter I didn’t expect – doing commemorative grief paintings for other people.
Combined with my professional background and artistic process, I unknowingly created a way to help other people translate their own grief into a collaborative art piece whereby they can remember their own loved ones daily through this piece as a healing tool.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Grief is anything but smooth. It’s frenetic. This is one of the most daunting aspects of the grieving process. You don’t feel like yourself many days and struggle to pinpoint why exactly you’re so off.
This is what I had to navigate through as I committed to the year of painting and the documentary. Adding to that were the stressors caused by our changing world as Covid hit in March 2020, right as I was gaining steam on the project. Still, I knew I had to persist. Nothing was insurmountable when it came to learning how to move through grief and become a better version of myself for my family.
During this process, I’ve moved states, switched jobs, had a total burnout/breakdown from work, took a 6-month sabbatical, and was told by countless people how crazy this project seemed.
By contrast, I had unyielding support from my wife and kids, many friends, new business partners, and total strangers who saw what I was doing and shared how much it was resonating with them.
In the world of setting big, hairy, audacious goals (BHAG), sharing those goals publicly can be paramount to success. My project is no exception, as knowing how my work is helping others fed the fuel of my creative energy.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work generally falls into three buckets: Awareness, Film, and Painting Commissions.
Painting Commissions:
I help families in grief commemorate their loved ones through a personalized abstract painting. Through a process I developed, I delve deep with my clients to explore their relationship with their deceased and absorb as much as possible about their relationship. We then run through creative exercises to set the blueprint for a piece. I use this blueprint to create a unique piece they can have for the rest of their lives and reflect on that relationship. I will often use ashes from their loved ones as well.
Film:
Through my documentary, The Art of Grieving, I’m using this as a launch point to share my own story, the benefits of art therapy in partnership with The Art Therapy Project, and shine a light on creating a grief-positive movement. The documentary has a UK debut in June 2022 and will be out later this year for the world to see.
Awareness:
I speak on podcasts and conduct interviews whenever I get a chance to share my experiences and perspective around grief. I’m also always looking for new ways to partner with businesses and organizations that are looking to change bereavement policies from a legal standpoint or who want to set an example by having groundbreaking bereavement programs for employees.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Grief from the loss of life is a prevailing issue for the entirety of humanity. Productivity loss for businesses just in the US due to mental strife from grief is estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars each year. I believe by normalizing conversations around grief and providing better resources, we could see a turning tide in the ability of individuals and cultures to move through grief in a healthier way and decrease the prevalence of self-destructive behaviors.
Contact Info:
- Email: preston@zellerhausart.com
- Website: https://zellerhausart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prestonzeller/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011320479188
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV2iSJTFFrh8uDhzt9uGFKA
- Other: https://theartofgrievingfilm.com
Image Credits
Preston Zeller Ariel Rosete
