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Pinoy artist featured in Katie Couric's show


SAN FRANCISCO, California – US renowned primetime news anchor Katie Couric will feature a Boston-based Filipino artist in one of her CBS Evening News segment. Bren Bataclan, who has made waves across the US with his project he called “The Smile Project," told GMANews.TV that CBS Evening News has all ready filmed the segment last month. In the segment, a CBS Evening News correspondent Michelle Miller waits behind the camera as people pick up Bataclan’s paintings on the street. The CBS correspondent then jumps out and asked the people why they have picked up the artwork. Bataclan then emerges and is introduced to the new art owner to thank them for taking the paintings. The segment is yet to be scheduled for airing late this month or early June according to Bataclan. Bataclan said he couldn’t describe how he felt when he found out he would be featured in the popular primetime evening news in the US. “Awesome! Seeing Filipinos in the mainstream is always a plus. Folks in the US don't know a lot about us...," he said, adding that he is still in utter disbelief. “This is my first national TV exposure!" He recalled that the CBS Evening News lauded him about his work and project. “I guess their favorite part was seeing and hearing people's reactions when they pick up the paintings. I believe that is what they will highlight when the story airs," he said. [See: Artist spreads Pinoy cheer in recession-hit Boston] The Smile Project started in 2003 where Bataclan would leave at least 15 of his cartoon inspired acrylic on canvas paintings on the street and attached a note that said, “This painting is yours if you promise to smile at random people more often." He would then give the painting away for free to interested passers-by or bystanders in the streets. [See: Bren Bataclan: Injecting smile through the arts] “The free paintings typically get picked up between three to 30 minutes," said Bataclan, adding that the recipients of his paintings would e-mail him thereafter for feedbacks. “Some even send me photos and few visit me in my studio." Bataclan in 2008 changed his note to “Everything Will Be Alright," aiming to provide more optimism to Americans who are suffering from the current economic recession that is felt not only in the US but also across the globe. The Smile Project has been capturing the media’s attention since its inception. It has been featured in several publications that include Reader’s Digest both the US and Asian version; Smithsonian Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Filipinas Magazine, The Detroit Press, and Chicago Tribune among many others across the US. He has also graced interviews with other local TV news and magazine programs in the US. Bataclan, 40, has visited more than 20 US cities and over 20 countries, still counting, in the world. “[My objective is] to leave paintings in all 50 states and all the 181 plus counties in the world to spread joy and optimism during these challenging times and to uplift our Filipino culture," Bataclan shared with this reporter. Bataclan continues his creative altruism as he had left 15 paintings in Los Angeles, which he painted back in Boston last week. Prior to his visit in the City of Angels, he also left paintings in Las Vegas, Nevada and Alaska. He is back in Boston now eagerly drawn once again to his brushes, easels and acrylic tubes to produce more paintings for the project. The UCLA and Ohio State University alumnus is determined to pursue his project — that nothing can stop him now. Bataclan has been a full time artist for six years since the effect of the “dot com" bust. “I plan to paint, do my street art and spread joy for the rest of my life; and, of course, to represent the Philippines in the art world and beyond," he averred. Bataclan brings his paintings with him whenever he travels outside Boston and leave them on park benches, train stations, hospitals, senior centers, etc. Some of the feedbacks Bataclan has received so far have all been very positive. Recent recipients from Alaska emailed Bataclan and told him how his paintings have affected their lives. One recipient said she “liked the note attached to the painting. So simple and fresh. It reminds me of what a perfect world it would be." For more information about The Smile Project, Bataclan invites readers to visit his website at www.bataclan.com. - GMANews.TV
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