A Smile Is Universal: Paying It Forward Through Art

By Julie Mathis • April 15, 2015

A Smile is Universal

Bren Bataclan, an artist from Boston, has been accepting smiles in exchange for his art for more than a decade. As part of his “Smile Movement,” Bren leaves his cartoon inspired paintings around the world for people to take for free, as long as they promise to smile at random people more often.

Bren has brought smiles to people across the world, from his hometown to all 50 US states, and to people in places as far away as Afghanistan, Cambodia, UAE, Uganda, Vietnam and dozens more countries. The lucky finders of his paintings typically keep their part of the bargain, sharing forward the smiles and logging stories on Bren’s website, where he learns the fate of his paintings, many of which have been shared in homes, hospitals, community centers, schools and even prisons.

Bren’s work reminds us that a smile’s force is unstoppable in the face of age, race and gender. A smile bestowed by a stranger can do more than just brighten someone’s day—it can remind us of what’s important, offer compassion in times of need, help the sick heal and challenged children flourish. A smile can help a person overcome demons, see light at the end of a tunnel, cheer communities following tragedies, and even nudge along budding relationships.

Bren’s mission reminds us to never underestimate the power of a smile… it’s as simple as that. Why not pay a smile forward today?

SHARE YOUR STORY

Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz

feel good videoCouple Rescues Prairie Dog From Their Dog's Mouth, Then Decides To Adopt It

feel good storiesMy Girlfriend Gifted Me My Father’s Handwriting To Keep Forever

feel good storiesWe Can’t Stop Looking At These Adorable Baby Loon Photos Taken On A Lake

feel good storiesThis Couple Built A Grass Patch For Their Cat, And She’s Obsessed With It

feel good storiesThis All-Black ‘Goth House’ In Indiana Is Going Viral. Wait Until You See The Inside

feel good storiesMeet Igor: The Fluffy Poltergeist Dog With The Most Unhinged Adoption Bio Ever

feel good videoBaby Elephant’s Trunk Steals The Show In Adorable Treat Time Video

feel good videoWhat Happens When A Man With A Hose Meets A Group of Kids? Pure Magic

feel good videoChicken Or Pigeon? The Internet Can’t Believe This Bird Is Real

feel good videoMom Surprises 4-Year-Old Son With First Apartment After 14 Months In Homeless Shelter

feel good videoBear Vs. Sprinkler: Hilarious Garden Moment Caught On Camera

Chris Filippou 12:17PM (3 minutes ago) to me