Thursday, November 11, 2004
Painting a smile on Boston's face and maybe a few in Portland too
Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
Greater Portland's Entertainment Weekly.
Weekends begin on Thursday. In Go.
At age 35, Boston artist Bren Bataclan's big goal is to make people smile. Born in the Philippines, Bataclan moved to San Francisco when he was 12 and moved to Boston about 10 years ago. He found the somber faces of Bostonians disheartening and set about trying to bring some positive change to Boston life. He began leaving his quirky and colorful paintings all over the city. With each painting, Bataclan left a note telling the finder that he or she could keep the painting for free but had to promise to smile at random people more often. Bataclan provided an Internet address where people could send feedback. The responses he has received show that people are touched.
On Wednesday, Bataclan opens an exhibit of his work at Binga's Restaurant in Monument Square in Portland. He will be at the opening reception, held from 4-7 p.m.
Q.: How old were you when you began an interest in art? A.: As soon as I was able to hold a pencil. Q.: Explain how and when the Smile Boston project came about. A.: I began the Smile Boston Project last October 2003. I started leaving the paintings right after a truly successful exhibit I had that September ‚ I sold 49 out of 56 of my paintings. My initial goal was to thank Boston back for buying all of the paintings. And of course to spread the message of "smile power." Q.: What sort of images are in the paintings you leave around town? A.: They are cartoon inspired characters. I have been drawing these characters since I was a kid. Q.: How do you select the locations you leave your paintings at? A.: I choose places where there will be lots of traffic like parks, train stations, and schools. I also prefer leaving my paintings outdoors and so most of my locations of choice are weather-dependent. Q.: How many have you left around Boston so far? A.: I have left over 200 around Boston/Massachusetts. And over 100 across the country and worldwide. Q.: Do you think a particular type of person is more apt to pick up your paintings and if so, what type of person do you think does? A.: I think that I have covered the whole spectrum. I have had kids to senior citizens pick up my work. This is one of the biggest surprises about my paintings ‚ the broad appeal. At first I thought that only guys in their 30s and children would like my work. But I have been proven wrong. Q.: What do you think the appeal of your paintings is? A.: The bright, happy colors (derived from the Philippines, a tropical country) and the huge smiles of the characters. Also, since most of my characters are non-specific (they can be viewed as monsters, aliens, animals, humanoids, etc.), most people can identify with them easily. Q.: How long do you think you'll be leaving paintings around Boston or other locations? A.: Forever, I don't feel like stopping anytime soon. Q.: Would you encourage other artists to try something like your Smile Boston project and why or why not? A.: Sure, just as long as they ask permission from me and not copy my characters. Q.: What affect has the project had on you? A.: I finally found my calling in Boston. I feel like Boston has opened its arms and has embraced my work. This feels really great because I've wanted this feeling ever since I moved here about a decade ago. Q.: Do you think more people are smiling now in Boston? A.: Yeah, because I am smiling more and in effect, I am making more people smile. And I believe that this is what my painting recipients are doing as well. I can't even begin to describe to you how happy I feel about the whole thing!
News Assistant Stephanie Bouchard can be contacted at 791-6455 or at: sbouchard@pressherald.com