Feedback, 13 More States and the Capital

Hello everyone,

How are you? I just got back from giving away paintings in Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama. Here are some of the painting feedback that I received:

Awesome feedback from a painting recipient in Mississippi: We found this one. My husband is going to frame it and bring it to his office at Gulf Coast Mental Health. He wants to retell the story and improve peoples lives. Hopefully it will show them that even strangers care. Suzi

A wonderful message from a Eudora, Arkansas painting recipient: Bren, the Eudora City Hall thanks you for your painting, you are to be commended for your dedication of this wonderful Smiley B project. I am employed by the City of Eudora, Mayor's worker "B". Mary

A very nice message from an Orange Beach, Alabama painting recipient: I found this one!!! I love it sooooo much! I would like to place it in our trauma room in Orange Beach along with a little write up about Bren and Smiley B. I know it will help take away the anxiety and pain which our patients sometime unfortunately experience. What a wonderful gift, thank you, Gina

Starting this Friday, July 19th, I will give away paintings in the following states:

1. Colorado  (July 24th)
2. Delaware (July 19th)
3. Idaho  (July 26th)
4. Kansas  (July 23rd)
5. Kentucky  (July 22nd)
6. Maryland  (July 20th)
7. Nebraska  (July 24th)
8. New Mexico (TBA)
9. Oklahoma (TBA)
10. Pennsylvania (July 19th)
11. Virginia  (July 20th)
12. West Virginia  (July 21st)
13. Wyoming  (July 25th)

And yes, Washington, D.C. too  (July 20th)!

You can see photos and updates of my trip via my Facebook page >>>

Many thanks again and enjoy the summer!

Bren

P.S. Free paintings in all 50 states by the end of the summer! 

D.C. and New Characters

I had a super busy 4th of July weekend. I painted close to 200 paintings for my big cross country free painting giveaway trip. They are all new characters and I will now give paintings in D.C. as well (315 free paintings for my Kickstarter project). Originally, it was only going to be 300. I also had some time to just relax and read between all of that painting :)

AR, MS, AL and Possibly OK

Just got back from an awesome Midwestern trip! I gave away 60 paintings in 4 states (ND, SD, IA and MN) in 4 days! Next stop, AR, MS, AL and possibly... OK as well.

Below is an updated map, the green states are the ones where paintings have been given away. 16 more states to go. And here's a photo of me last weekend at the Franconia Sculpture Park in Minnesota.

North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

I start my cross country free painting give away tomorrow to these following states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota. I am so excited!

I am also really happy to meet my painting reward delivery on time, June 2013! Almost everyone had either picked up or had received their reward by mail. I only have three more pickups left and I have one to donate.

Here are photos of happy Kickstarter backers with their painting rewards.

Painting Rewards

The Kickstarter painting rewards are being picked up by the backers. Thanks again everyone!

Painting at a Barn in Maine

I spent Memorial Day weekend painting at a barn in Maine. These paintings will go to North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota next month (destinations may change).

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Busy Painting the Kickstarter Reweards

Been busy painting the Kickstarter rewards. These 11x14 happy U.S. map paintings are for folks who donate in the $95 range.

Kickstarter Fundraising... Close to 300% of my goal!

I can't believe that I am close to 300% of my Kickstarter goal! Just $351 more to $9,000. I am definitely feeling the love!!!

I initially just asked for $3,000 because Kickstarter will not grant the fundraiser the amount requested if the pledge goal is not met. The first $3,000 will mostly be spent on art supplies. The rest of the money raised will go toward the 20 state travel expenses (airfares, car rentals, gas, hotel, etc...).

Thank you very, very much everyone.

Here's my Kickstarter link >>>

"10th Year SmileyB™ Free Paintings Anniversary" tentative schedule.

"10th Year SmileyB™ Free Paintings Anniversary" tentative schedule: June, the states colored in purple and July, the states colored in orange. The rest (colored in white) in August and October. Paintings have been given away in the states colored in green. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/796362803/10th-year-smileybtm-free-paintings-anniversary

30 States So Far...

This map shows you which states the paintings have been given away. 30 so far (in green), I have 20 more to go. I plan to leave paintings in all 50 states this year, the 10th year anniversary of my SmileyB™ Project!

Students' Drawings

For the past 10 years, students have been giving me drawings based on my characters. I've collected hundreds or possibly thousands of them since I've started to give presentations to schools. I plan to either have an installation of their work or animate them or both in the near future.

Daily Tweets

I now plan to daily tweet something art-related via https://twitter.com/smileproject They will be called Artweet

The messages will be creative, humor, spiritual, joy or art business related...

Got to share my almost decade-long wisdom as an artist :)

Bren's South End Studio Paintings

I love my studio in the South End of Boston. The space is awesome and my studio mates are so inspiring. This is where I experiment with different styles and media. I love how my work has changed and evolved over the decade--Another reason to celebrate my almost 10 year career as a full time artist. See my latest work here: http://smileybren.tumblr.com/

FREE LOTTO TICKET PROJECT

It’s almost 10 years since I’ve given away a painting for anyone to take
for free. To celebrate my upcoming decade-long street art project, I decided
to vary my giveways. What better alternative to painting than to potentially
give money to a random person and have that recipient share his or her
winnings with another person or organization via a Lotto ticket.


For clues: twitter.com/smileproject

For more information about my project, please visit: http://www.bataclan.com/lotto.html
Thank you very much.

The 50 States

MY 2013 GOAL IS TO LEAVE PAINTINGS IN ALL 50 STATES (paintings have been given away to the states that are highlighted in orange below):

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii• Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico •New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

Looking Back....

Before I embark on the fundraising and big road trip for the 10 year anniversary of my street art project, I'd like to reflect on 10 amazing experiences I've had in my almost decade long career as a full time artist.

1. Being able to be a full time artist in this economy! What a miracle!!! I am so thankful. I love my job!!!

2. Learning about people when I do my street art project. I tell folks that if I were not an artist, I would most probably be an anthropologist. It's funny to see people's reaction to free things. I love, love, love all the painting recipients' feedback, from simple thank you's to some truly heartfelt & personal ones.

3. Giving presentations to elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and colleges. I absolutely love working with students. I moved to Massachusetts 17 years ago to teach at UMass Amherst. I stopped teaching to be a part of the dotcom world and to start my own design firm. Those days are long gone and I am kind of teaching again--it's been awesome!

4. Having a studio in the South End has been phenomenal. My studio mates are so talented and are great to be with--we constantly inspire one another. The space also allows me to be more experimental. My creative juices just flow non-stop there.

5. Appreciating all of the social media tools. Though my background is in computer graphics, I feel like I am somewhat behind in the latest and greatest tech stuff out there. Heck, I am still rockin' the iPhone 1 from 2007 (yes, I got mine the month it first came out half a decade ago). I do know that my project and artwork would not be as successful without the web, email, Facebook, Twitter and now, Blogger :)

6. Trying out many different art-related business ventures has been fun. From selling paintings at weekend art fairs to auctioning my artwork on eBay to selling tshirts via cafepress.com. Some ventures were more successful than others. They were all worth it, though.

7. Meeting incredible Boston-based artists. What I love about them is that they are all so very helpful. There is a definite artist comradeship here in Boston.

8. Having the best clients ever. I can't say enough good things about them. Thank you for all of the support over the years.

9. Being thankful for those who simply believe in me. Example: my lawyers who have been working pro bono for me over the years. I am forever grateful.

10. Finally, who knew that I would become a muralist? What more can I ask for? This whole art career thing is just getting better and better....

I will elaborate on these key points soon. Thanks for reading this and for being part of my upcoming 10 year celebration. You guys are the best!!!

2013 will be the 10 year anniversary of my street art project. Has it almost been a decade since I gave away a free painting on a park bench in Cambridge, MA (my neighborhood)? Since October 2003, I've given away about 800 pieces of artwork across the country and around the world. My goal next year is to drop off paintings in all 50 states. I've covered about 30 states so far, so I have about 20 more to go.

I plan to do a big road trip in the fall of 2013. This is going to be a huge endeavor! I will give away at least 300 paintings (I will drop off 15 paintings per state). I plan to use kickstarter.com to raise funds for art supplies, car rental, gas, hotel, food, etc.... This is the first time in my street art project history that I will ask for donations. My project has been a self funded endeavor.

Thanks for checking out my very first blog. I can't wait to start documenting the 10 year anniversary of my street art project.