Bren Bataclanis a Boston-based artist. He taught computer graphics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Bren also gives away paintings in public spaces with a note saying, "This painting is yours if you promise to smile at random people more often." He has given away over 3,OOO paintings in close to 8O different countries and all 5O states in the U.S. These days, he mostly paints murals at schools--he paints what students draw for the mural projects. Heinemann published a textbook for elementary students about his kindness-related street art project in 2O13. Bren lives with his husband, Bob, in Cambridge, MA.