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FEEDBACK (See yearly "BEST OF" feedback winners >>>)
3.2010 Everything Will Be Alright Series (Belize) I picked up a painting left in the Belize City airport! When I saw it I thought it looked somewhat familiar. After checking your site, I realized that it's because I've seen your stuff here and there in Boston, where I was returning to. Funny, that. Thanks so much for the smile. It helped a bit, at the thought of leaving Belize for boston. Enjoy the trip, Matty
12.2009 Everything Will Be Alright Series (Raleigh, NC) Mr. Bataclan, My name is Brooke Marshall and I, along with my 4th grade class, was the recipient of your beautiful painting today in Raleigh just outside of the Museum of History. I just wanted to tell you thank you again. My class and I were so honored to be able to take a piece of your artwork back to class with us. It is really going to brighten up the room, and look absolutely beautiful on our shelf. Now thanks to you, I will have this piece of artwork for years to come that I can have on display and tell the children the story that goes along with it. I looked at your website, and what you do is amazing. We need more people in this world like you! Thank you again so very much, Brooke >>> 12.2009 Everything Will Be Alright Series (Raleigh, NC) Hello Bren,I was the surprised and delighted finder of one of your paintings in Raleigh, North Carolina! I am so thrilled as it is adorable! Thanks for what you do. I know you must make a lot of people happy. Regards, Katy >>>
11.2009: Everything Will Be Alright Series (North Hollywood, CA) >>>
10.2009: Everything Will Be Alright Series (Boston) I just wanted to let you know that your painting turned an incredibly bad week around. thanks bren! 10.2009: Everything Will Be Alright Series (Boston) I got one of your paintings at Harvard College. It made my day. Rediet
6.2009: Everything Will Be Alright Series: Hi, I found one of your paintings on the steps of my university. I was walking up the steps before I had to attend a trial in which I was being wrongly accused of some rather grievous charges. I felt like everything around me was just falling apart, nothing was going even close to ok. I had come very close to committing suicide several times in the weeks leading up to the trial, but thanks to the suicide hot line, I'm still here. I was early to my trial, so I was walking up the stairs to get a drink from Starbucks when I came across your painting. It was like something or someone was smiling down at me (and that means a lot because I'm an atheist). Finding that picture gave me the strength to carry on that day and during the next few days while I was waiting for the decision. Everything did indeed work out. I was cleared and I got some of the best grades I've ever gotten in my life that semester. I now proudly display your picture in my room (at school and at home now that's it summer). I've told this story to so many people since then, so I thought you should know too. Thank you so much, you have no idea how you have touched my life. I will never forget you or your painting. Anonymous6.2009: Everything Will Be Alright Series: Thank you so much for your generous and selfless project! My son found one of your paintings and the story was covered in one of your recent publications. You, indirectly, lit up the light in the hearts of so many people!! My son has been missing since 2006 after the sudden death of his father and my husband. He was very close to his Dad as a son and artist; losing his father was a devastating blow to his life. But I can relax in the knowledge that he's on his life's journey, on the West Coast and pursuing his passion as an artist. Art heals! And, I know his heart is healing thanks to your project!! Your message of "everything is going to be alright", is so profound for a young man who has been suffering a personal loss for several years. Thank you, again. Anonymous
6.2009: Everything Will Be Alright Series (Las Vegas): hi! I got the painting from you at the Venetian, I brought it to Calgary, Canada, and am giving it to the most happy most smiling 21m boy :) Annonymous
This little painting is almost as cute as the artist Kimmi >>>
01.2009: Everything Will Be Alright Series (San Francisco): I have the painting you left today in SSF. My boss found it front of our building...it's not the unemployment office, but across from where that office used to be...and she didn't know what to make of it. However, I had read about you in the Chronicle. When I saw the painting, I just naturally smiled; it made me happy! I just returned to work Monday after about 3 months off due to open heart surgery. Thanks for this spot of joy in my day! Jerry
10.2008 Smile Chicago: Hi Bren, I did end up finding a painting yesterday. My phone's last act before the battery died was to let me ckeck twitter to see you left one in the subway. I flew down there after class, grabbed it, and smiled at something like a dozen people. The painting now hangs in my daughter's nursery. Take care, and thanks for the painting. Keith
10.2008 Smile NYC 115: Hello! You left one of your delightful paintings in front of where I work on Wall Street. I picked it up and took it inside to show off my new find to my fellow employees. One co-worker's eyes immediately lit up as he asked what I was going to do with the painting. I made him smile by giving the painting to him - he and his wife had recently redecorated their son's bedroom and were looking for art to place on the walls. Your painting is making a little boy in Brooklyn smile. I will ask him to take a picture of it and send it to you. Thanks for the smiles!Kat 10.2008 Smile NYC 115: Thank you so very much for your efforts and great paintings. I came upon painting 109 last week at the South Street Seaport. At first i noticed the painting on a bench and thought it was cute but there was a woman sitting next to it so i assumed it was hers and went to mess with the gadgets in the sharper image. Upon my departure from the store i noticed the painting was still there so i looked closer and read your message. I kept my promise to smile at random people more often. Too often, in New York City especially, people are overworked and unhappy. Also with the economy today life can be a bit stressful. Your painting really put a smile on my face - not only because of the promise of a great painting but because of the great gesture. I was really happy and felt lucky to have glanced upon your work. I forwarded your website to quite a few individuals who admired your efforts and work as well. I have the painting in my apartment and its literally the first thing you see when you come in. I leave it there as a reminder to take it day by day and enjoy life. You are an example by your wonderful efforts to spread happiness in a world that can be chaotic at times. Thank you. I'm really glad it found me. I needed to put a smile on my face.Keep doing what you do. Lillian 10.2008 Smile NYC 115: Thank you for making me smile this morning. At first I walked past the painting, but the bright colors against the slate granite of the building beckoned me to double back. When I saw the note, I smiled. I'm definitely up to the challenge to smile at random people. I've always had a lot of joy to give, but in the past few months it's been overflowing. Smiling is easy; frowning is hard. So I quickly picked up the painting and entered the lobby. (As happy as I am, I wouldn't be happy if I were late to work -- so being decisive was easy.) Imagine my surprise to discover that the painting is part of the "Smile Boston Project." As if I hadn't already been smiling, thinking about Boston…Thanks for making my day, giving me a great story and painting, and encouraging more smiles in the world. Rue
9.2008 Smile NYC 115: Noticed your painting on steps of library NYC but I'm homeless so I have no place to hang the naughty devil. At least it looks naughty the way you have the tail drawn. Ed
July 2008: More Smile Japan photos >>> July 2008: Smile Israel photo update >>>
April 2008 Smile Japan Picture >>>
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9.2009: Everything Will Be Alright Series (Philippines) 
03.2009: Everything Will Be Alright Series (San Francisco): Thanks so much again for the painting. My hope to be a part of smile project began following my reading of the piece the San Francisco ran in December. I thought what you were doing is just the sort of thing this country needs to turn around: A sense of community and embracing the power of sharing. Besides the characters are so cute I wanted to find one. Soon after I followed @smileproject on twitter hoping that I would have an edge in this artistic easter egg hunt. February 11 was my big break. I was on hold with the credit card company (oh so much anxiety) when I received the feed that Smile Project was visiting the Serramonte Mall. 15 mins away, so I twittered back that I'd be there in a half. I picked up Michelle in San Bruno and we drove over, strategizing the search. We drove around outside and decided that Bren would most likely be in the mall. My first thought was to be near the recently closed Mervin's. We were both nervous and excited. That all turned to a sort of let down as I updated twitter on my iphone and realized I may have been too late. We had one place left to search-- the food court. I see a man with a canvas sitting nearby. I ask him and he points to a camera crew. I explained how I was following on twitter and really was hoping to meet a successful artist. He says they have one more painting to drop off. Seconds later I am meeting Bren, getting a cool painting (that matches my jacket) and being interviewed by a Philippine TV crew. I have not seen the interview, but I felt so lucky that Wednesday evening. As I move forward in my job search, I know "everything will be all right" Cristalle 
03.2009: Everything Will Be Alright Series (San Francisco) 
03.2009: Everything Will Be Alright Series (Boston) 
10.2008 Smile Panama 
May 2008 Smile St. Louis 
April 2008: Resting on a large boulder on Atlanta's Clifton Road, between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the fire station, and across from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and the Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, I spied it. An illogical generosity of spirit. The bright painting of a colorful, happy, whimsical creature. And, taped to its lower edge, a note bearing the message.The proposition intrigued me. I loved the painting, the message, and the random way in which I had come upon it. (I could have taken the bus instead of walking that Sunday morning to Emory’s Cannon Chapel ecumenical, open worship to hear Bishop Jones preach the sermon on The Ministers' Manifesto. Or, my passing the boulder could have been too late. Or too early.) Yet I was suspicious. Who gives away such loveliness? And merely for the price of a promise to smile at random people more often? More self-tormenting questions: Who would check my faithfulness to hold up my side of the bargain? Shouldn't the find go to someone else... more deserving... a child? Yet I wanted it. How could I reconcile my doubts and take up the offer? Within seconds, I had formulated my plan. I glanced around hoping no one was watching. And then I took it. Tamar (visit her blog about her Smile Georgia experience 
April 2008 Smile Painting Recipient March 2008: heey bren! yess, i found one!:D at the bahnhofstrasse in zurich with my girlfirend...probably around 13.00 pm, today. i wondering, how long it was been there? really great art, really great idea! thanks for the nice picture, it seems to make me smile:D unfurtunately you wasn't there, so you couldn't take a picture of us how hard we were smiling, haha. Kind regard, IHF Smile Zurich March 2008 Smile Zurich 
More Smile Italy Painting Recipients The last days in Vencie were fun though the weather was supposedly the hottest it had been so far this summer. We just had to drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated. I have checked out your web site - you have really been busy going all over the world. What great fun! Patty and Elizabeth 
October 2007 More Smile Boston Project Painting Recipients 
September 2007 We wanted to write to you and tell you yet another tale involving your painting, specifically the bride and groom painting. All of our friends and family have heard the story of how we found the painting, the SMILE Boston project, and the other assorted craziness concerning this story. Well, everyone is now associating our upcomingwedding with your painting...so much so that when we arrived at our wedding shower we saw this hanging in front of the house. Then we go into our friends' house and found a framed printout of the email Amy originally wrote to you, along with the Boston Globe article. So we cut the cake and boy is your painting delicious. At the end of the night, all of our shower guests signed the banner as a keepsake for us. Very sweet. On a separate note, our friend Roxanne (one of Amy's bridesmaids) doctored up these Barbies as gifts for us at the shower.You can see yet another version of your painting in the Barbie Amy package. Amy and Tom 
Smile Peaks Island 
Smile Woods Hole 
Smile Italy Recipient 2007 We hauled the little guy around in our backpacks for another month and he is now on our wall at home in Santa Barbara, CA. I've attached a couple photos of his trip to the Italian Alps Jayna 
Smile Italy Recipient July 2007 I have to say to that I was impressed by your smile project which I saw in your webpage. Hopefully, your work will reach more people who can bring their smiles to others who have been deprived of human friendship because of war and violence. Eric 
Smile Italy (Bren leaving paintings) 
Smile Spain June 2007 
Smile California April 2007 
April 2007: I wanted to let you know that I am one of the lucky finders of your amazing artwork!! On December 23rd - two days before Christmas - I started my holiday shopping. I live in Boston and without a doubt hit up almost every store on Charles Street, Boylston Street and Newbury Street. I had so many packages and bags I could barely walk...but it had been a great day - I really enjoy hunting for that "perfect gift". So there I was, walking down Newbury Street, with my arms full when all of a sudden I spotted one of your paintings on a bench. I was alone but immediatley started saying out loud "do you know what that is, do you guys know what that is". I will back track a moment - I was familiar with your work because I had attended a live auction at the Lynn Arts Association about seven or eight months before that day...and one of the items being auctioned off was your painting of the little guy with the "B" hat...I was so inspired by the message of your work - I must have told the story a million times after that night. So, as you can imagine, I was beside myself to see one of your paintings just sitting there - waiting for me! I told the story to everyone around me who would listen, and with a little hesitation - because it was just too good to be true - I picked up the painting and smiled at everyone that I passed on the street. I called my dad and a bunch of my friends and I was smiling so much as I told them the story that they could barely understand what I was saying. I keep my painting in my office at work and look at it everyday and smile - people stop by all the time and tell me how cheerful my office. Some people have suggested that it was a set-up and that I found it because I smile so much already that you must have somehow known that I would keep smiling! I took a picture of my painting with my phone and sent it to my friends...many have passed it on to people I don't even know....it's become our way to "pay it forward'. Jennifer (see photo below) 
Smile Antarctica 4.2007 
Smile Antarctica March 2007: I have returned from a fabulous journey to penguinland! I consulted with my tablemates during the cruise in Antarctica how best to orchestrate "the manuever". What worked the best with so many countries possible to receive this gem, was to place it on the ship in Antarctica, not technically on the land of Antarctica (which I had said was not possible). I hope this follows your wishes; I snuck down after midnight and placed it by a portal outside the dining room (as illustrated), took the picture and let serendipity do the rest. The next morning on the way in to breakfast, it was nowhere to be seen. I am hoping you get an email identifying the recipient; know that many different nationalities are in the mix...Argentinian, Ukrainian, French, Scottish, Dutch, German, Canadian, Australian, New Zealander and of course, American. I am sure there are smiles being delivered...we were all smiles the whole cruise because it was so incredible! A boat full of women created magical weather for the calmest round trip through the Drake Passage this season, successful landings of 10 zodiac excursions and just an overall great time for all!The group I hung around with (my consultants) loved your work and your idea. It was fun to do! All the best, Fran 
Smile Israel
February 2007: "I brought two smile paintings with me to Israel when I was the staff for a Birthright Israel trip. Birthright Israel is a free 10 day trip for people between the ages of 18-26 who are Jewish and have never visited Israel on an organized tour. There were 40 participants from the U.S. and 8 soldiers from Israel on the trip. I introduced the idea of the paintings to the group and they were really excited about it. We decided that we wanted to leave them in places where Israelis would find them and not necessarily tourists. We decided to leave one in Tel Aviv, Eilat, and at the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem.
January 2007: Smile London 
January 2007: Painting recipients 
Smile
Tibet 2006 
October
2006
This is my painting hung up in my room. I just want to say I am
and will continue to be a fan of your art. Your giving spirit really
brings everyone to another level. You cannot talk about your art
without telling people about how you give and give and give, only
demanding in return smiles and happiness. Like I told you, I've
seen your artwork around Boston for the last 3 years, as long as
I've been in Boston, and have always been intrigued by its simplicity
and fun. So, I thank you so very much for your gift to me, and even
though there was no note asking me to smile more, I definitely will.
Thank you again with all my heart, Carl 
Smile
Hawaii 2006 Photos 
Smile
Honduras: Our trip was really successful. We were able to work with one of
the villages there to help them significantly improve their water
system. We also collected a lot of engineering data at another village
that currently has no water system, so the students can start the
design work and fundraising needed to help them on the next trip.
During most of the trip, we stayed at a bunkhouse attached to a
medical clinic created about 15 years ago by a Dartmouth group called
Americans Caring Teaching & Sharing (ACTS). I hung one of your paintings
in the clinic to brighten the the place a bit. The clinic is great
-- our engineering team traveled down there with a doctor and a
few medical students who were working in the clinic, seeing patients
from all the surrounding villages. The last night before we left,
we stayed in the city of San Pedro Sula, where I placed the other
four paintings. I put two in our hotel, one on a bench (that painting
disappeared within a few hours) and one in a drawer in our room.
The next morning we were running late to the airport, so I placed
the remaining two on a storefront window. They were all accompanied
by Spanish translations of your standard text. Dan
from Engineers Without Borders (see photos) 
One
winter afternoon I was walking through Holyoke Center in Harvard
Square after coming from the doctor's office and realizing that
I was going to have to take a leave from my job at the university.
I was crying and nothing that my sister seemed to say to me was
giving me any solace. As I was walking by one of the benches I
saw someone smiling at me. I smiled and kept walking in a daze.
As I was about to exit out of the door, I unhitched my arm from
my sister and turned around and started walking towards the bench
without saying anything to her - something was pulling me back.
It was what had made me smile and what had caught my attention from
the corner of my eye. It was the green finger-smiling-good mood
maker-alien cartoon. There he was sitting on a bench waiting for
me. I couldn't believe it. He had the whole bench to himself and
the center was packed with people milling about. Attached to him
was the note 'This painting is yours if you promise to smile at
people more often'. I stopped my crying and started laughing.
I swear to God that this meeting gave me something that I hadn't
felt in months - lightness and I know this sounds cheezy but hope.
It felt like a sign or something. And it broke my darkness. Even
my sister was laughing - kind of uncontrollably. It was the best
mood maker and as we left with it, it seemed to give us the lift
we needed or sent out some sort of vibe to other people around us
because we met like 3 awesome dogs that night, a bunch of super
nice people, and kind of kept running into random good energy 'stuff'.
I kept it in my bedroom for six months. I'm in a much better place
now and felt like it was time for him to work his magic on someone
else. My friend just had a baby. They named her Nelly but her
real name is Prunella - the poor thing - she needed some magic.
So now its in her baby room. And I told her older sister Bernadine
(I know, I don't know why they are obsessed with naming their kids
with these names that belong to great-Aunts) who is five now that
when she wanted to she could take out the painting - which still
has the sign taped to it - and put it in some random place in Jamaica
Plain for someone else to pick up. She liked that idea. Catherine
Hello!!!
Liz here. I just got your lovely picture today (Similar to #28)!!!
It was on a bench inside the George Sherman Union at Boston University.
I had walked past the bench after my lunch alone while listening
to the Barenaked Ladie... I saw it and thought it was adorable...
I loved it. It was kinda weird, I looked at it, read the little
sign attached to it and kinda just stood there for a minute... just
staring at it. And then I decided to take it. It was kinda there,
just staring at me, wanting me to take it, so I did. And I have
been smiling to people more. It was great, and I will continue to
smile. Thank you so much for this. And if you would ever like my
help with spreading the smiles, I would love to help. I go to Boston
University up here, but I live in Connecticut, near New Haven, so
if you¹d like some help down there, I can do it! Thank
you again!! Happy Day, Liz 
I would've
written earlier... but I was busy smiling at everyone! I'm leaving
my office last week and I see this painting and instantly recognized
its style. The note read 'You can have this painting if you promise
to smile at random people more often'. I thought that was cute and
figured since I do that anyway, maybe I'm not a worthy recipient.
But I also thought that my daughter would love it (even thought
it was not pink but blue). We had seen these paintings before hanging
in Christopher's. So I start to leave and I see a coworker come
out and she sees the painting and starts smiling. So I backtracked
and explained to Jean what I knew about these paintings and the
artist. She says "Mike. You smile at people all the time. Take
it." I chuckled and ended up bringing the painting home with
me. I called my daughter that night to tell her I had a present
for her. Thank you! Mike
Dear
Bren, i met you today in Harvard Square while i was walking to Au
Bon Pain to buy some lunch. On my way i passed an adorable painting
which is for refrence purposes #19. i read the sign below it, and
i am now vowing to smile more at strangers and at people in general. i
saw the painting which reminded me of those cute little glow worms
from my childhood and smiled. i have been trying to find art for
my new apartment; i am also very picky. i think your request to
smile more brightened up this past month & i now have something
to hang on my walls that didn't cost me an arm and a leg. i don't
smile that much except for those half smiles to ease social situations
but this painting led me to a genuine smile, and a few hours later
i am still smiling. i would very much like to show everyone on your
site what is now a treasure to me but i don't have a digital camera. i
just want to say thank you for creating this project that has made
my day and led me to smile. It shows true altruism for those who
don't get to smile enough (like myself) and i'm planning to hang
it over the table where i keep my most prized possesions & smile
at it and smile outside and remember how much you brightened my
day. Your extremely grateful fan, Sara
(one of the Smile Boston Project recipient during the channel 5
Chronicle filming, 8.31.2004) 
I saw
Guster right away and I knew I should pick him up. It was the oddest
coincidence that I found him that day, actually. I had gone to get
a haircut with my friend (for moral support--haircuts scare me)
and I was on the T with her on our way to MIT where we work. She
was trying to cheer me up (because I had gotten a REALLY terrible
haircut) and she told me that she had heard of Project Smile and
that people were finding paintings for free if they promised to
smile more often. When I got off the T and walked to my building,
there he was! I picked him up immediately because I knew that was
what I should do. The story of the painting and Guster himself distracted
everyone at work from my terrible haircut, and I've been smiling
at random people ever since(my hair is pretty much back to normal
now). But seriously, sarcasm aside, this is an amazing project and
a great reminder that little things like random friendliness really
do spread and grow. I hope this project helps to lift Boston's personality
out of the 'cold New England' category! Anupama
I
was hurriedly returning to my job after my 45 min lunch break one
afternoon and I passed a park bench. There was a painting propped
up against it's back and a sign proclaiming the painting was free
with the condition I smile more at random people. I looked at it
for a moment and proceeded walking. It wasn't that I wasn't up to
the challenge of smiling more, I guess I just hesitated. Maybe for
whatever reason I didn't feel deserving, like it wasn't meant for
me. I crossed the street and as I was approaching my building of
employment I stopped again. I thought to myself, "you know what,
I really like that painting," It was calling me back. I came back
to work with a canvas under my arm and a large visible grin. The
idea is so simplistic but it's message is powerful. Smiling is such
an incredibly effective tool and you'd be surprised how it can turn
someone's day around in an instant. Ryan 
I was
wandering through Harvard Square on a cold morning and I saw this
cute little guy sitting on a concrete step all alone. I honed in
on it and was excited because I had read about your project in the
paper a few weeks before. But it seemed a little weird because I
was surprised no one had taken it yet. So, I read the note attached,
decideded I would indeed smile more, swiped it, and took off at
a quick pace. About a block away this dude chased me down and I
was like great, I think I just stole this thing. But it turned out
he was a producer doing a news program about you and he wanted me
to be on camera. It worked out great, because I had just opened
my own store in Harvard Square called Proletariat, and I got to
mention that on tv. Then I hung the painting in my store and people
came in who had seen me and the painting on tv. Since then my wife
has made me keep the painting in our house because it really livens
up the place. This painting walked into my life at the perfect time.
Thanks again. Kerry 
May
2006:
Painting recipients 
Spring
2006 Painting Recipients 
Smile
Guatemala Pictures 
February
2006:
Smile Philippines 
December
2005: Smile San Francisco Project 
Just
e-mailing to say hello and to let you know that I'm still smiling
from finding your wonderful painting. Being interviewed was fun,
but what I remember the most is finding the painting (and immediately
knowing what it was there for) and having the wonderful opportunity
to meet you. I've been making that extra effort to smile at people
and say hello and many people say hello right back. Some are surprized
and say hello, others look pleased, and there are those few (and
far between thank goodness) who just ignore me. Again, thank you
so much for taking the time to do what you do and for painting your
happy, wonderful art. The painting is sitting in my office up against
my window where I can see it and it makes me (and everyone else
who sees it) smile and laugh. If there were more people like you
this world would be a better place. Peggy
(one of the Smile Boston Project recipient during the channel 5
Chronicle filming, 8.31.2004) 
December
2005: One day, I was walking with a friend
through the tiny park in the middle of Harvard Square. Walking
down one of the pathways, we passed a bench. The bench was occupied,
but not by people, and not by pigeons. On the bench were paintings
and with the paintings was a note that read: "Please take one if
you promise to smile more at random strangers". I glanced at the
note and paintings in disbelief because: 1, the paintings were really
cute and I couldn't believe someone was giving them away, and 2,
the paintings were really cute and I couldn't believe someone was
giving them away with the only payment being to smile more. I almost
walked out of the park before I turned to my friend Jude and asked
if she what she thought about the paintings and note on the bench.
She actually didn't see it (she was walking on the opposite side),
so we walked back to the bench. I looked around, looking for the
culprit, while Jude read the note. Then she said, "Why not take
one? I know you'll smile at random strangers." I said I would.
And with a big big smile spreading over my face, I reached down
and took one of the paintings. With the painting in my hands, I
raised my fist to the sky and let up a big "WOOHOO!". Not only have
I kept smiling at random strangers, but I also gave the painting
to my best friend Sara, and she has promised to smile too. Kimmee,
2-year Smile Boston Project painting recipient 
Picked
up one of your paintings from a park bench in Providence while walking
my dog. I plan to hang it in a computer lab at the college where
I teach. Students need to smile too. Doc.
Smile Providence, RI 
November
2005: More 2-year Smile Boston Project painting
recipient 
Smile
Las Vegas: Hello! I wanted to leave feedback
for you, my name is Rachel and I found the picture of the boy w/
yellow background at the West Sahara Library in Las Vegas. I had
just dropped my daughter off at kindergarten and was returning our
books when I saw the painting. I smiled as I passed and thought
"what a cute and fun painting!". I noticed the note and went back
to read it. I thought maybe it was a joke, I turned and looked around
to see if anyone was watching me. I turned back and was going to
go into the library, I figured someone else would grab it, maybe
they needed to smile more than I did. But then I turned back, grabbed
the cute painting and the note and entered the library. I wanted
to make sure this was for real! I showed the librarian and she wasn't
aware that it had been left and encouraged me to take it. I am so
gald I did because I love it, it is such a fun care free picture,
it reminds me of being a child again. As soon as I picked up my
daughter I showed her, she thought it was awesome and took it for
herself. But I made her promise that she has to smile at people
more often:)! In a city like Las Vegas, where the residents are
trained to not look each other in the eye and to avoid any interaction,
this painting and your movement is much needed. Now everytime I'm
out I find myself thinking of the paiting and the promise I made
and I make a pointed effort to keep my word. Because really, isn't
that all we've got?! 
October
6, 2005: I found one of your paintings laying
on a picnic table at Hudson Beach in Florida, it is a delightful
little picture that I will cherish for many years to come, though
it is simple I smile when I just think about it . I am 64 years
old and like to smile and love people so I will try to smile at
people more often. Thank you for making my day a little brighter,
Sandy (Port Richey, FL) 
October 2005: Smile
Florida photos 
September
2005 Smile
Guatemala 
I shared
your link with my students today. Instant kid appeal! They enjoyed
the characters very much. We read the message that you include
with your paintings and some of the messages written by the people
who found the paintings. The whole project really intrigued kids.
I asked one of my students in third grade to write a note to you.
I've included it below:Dear
Mr. Bataclan, I think the "Smiles Boston" project was a great idea! I
think that if one person smiles at another person, it would spread
throughout the whole state (and hopefully the whole world!) You
are a very talented artist and I am glad that you thought of it. You
sound like a very nice person. I hope you keep doing this! Keep
up the good work! From, AmandaLorraine