Behind the Canvas: Ryan Smithson
When he first came home from Iraq, Ryan Smithson felt 20 years old going on 40. He walked around Hudson Valley Community College campus just trying to blend in, feeling totally separated and distant from everybody. He assumed he would spend the rest of his life without talking about combat. How could anyone possibly understand, and did anyone even care what our soldiers were going through anyway?
Then he got an essay assignment to write about a time when he “saw something destroyed.” The story that poured out of him struck a chord with the professor, who encouraged him to keep writing. He didn’t think he had enough stories to pen a book, but he knew writing was helping. One word, one story at a time, it was therapy. It helped him wrest control of the traumatic memories, learn important lessons from them, and ultimately communicate — slowly at first — to his friends and family.
Ryan was an engineer in the army, meaning he mostly pushed dirt. It was hot, dusty, and difficult work building roads, bridges, and bases all over Iraq. Most days were honestly boring, and then something would explode and it would get exciting for a bit. A year of that took its toll, and post-traumatic stress was eating Ryan from the inside out in the form of night terrors, hypervigilance, and a mix of feelings from anger to depression — all tied to this confusing guilt for “making it” through Iraq, only to be struggling at home where life was “normal” again. The writing helped him process and understand his experiences, but sharing his story is how the true healing started.
After a year of writing, the stories piled up, and Ryan smashed them together, called it a manuscript, and sent it to a hundred or more literary agents. They all said no — except one, who agreed to represent it and found a home for it with an amazing YA (young adult) editor at HarperCollins, who was exactly what the story needed. She worked with Ryan to take it from a collection of short stories to a full-fledged memoir with a narrative arc that hooks and connects with young readers — especially reluctant boys who have trouble getting into other books.
Since its publication in 2009, Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI has been read in high schools and colleges across the country. It was even turned into a play at the Griffin Theatre in Chicago, where it toured for 3 years. It’s touched more people than Ryan ever thought possible when he first penned a story of trauma for a college English class, and the experience has led to his deep belief in the transformative power of creativity.
After HVCC, Ryan kept driving trucks and continued his education part-time while raising a family, earning a BA from Empire State University and an MA in English at UAlbany, where he received the Outstanding Thesis Award for his play, 10 Klicks South of Whiskey.
Along the way, he began a career in technology sales and continued writing, churning out stories and manuscripts that he hoped would become another book, but fiction, while very fun to write, proved to be a difficult challenge and he didn’t find a lot of success in the market.
During the 2020 lockdown, however, Ryan transitioned to the visual arts when he started making extraordinary images with real butterfly wings, sourced responsibly from the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in Deerfield, MA. Using cardstock, he cut out an image of a dancer and collaged the wings underneath to form a cool piece of art for his daughter. The image was even more amazing than he imagined, so he got more wings and made more art, eventually realizing that he could teach it to anyone using simple coloring sheets.
Thus, “Frankenflies” was born, and the art became his staple through the pandemic and his concurrent divorce. Much like combat, life seemed completely upside down in those days, and Frankenflies became a steady routine in his life — a creative process that helped him escape the world, process life, and be present. When each piece is completed, it’s always magical to see these once-dead creatures become something new and beautiful again.
Following 9/11, service to his country became a defining marker of Ryan’s life. Since then, he’s continued to volunteer with local organizations like Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Double H Ranch, and Best Buddies. Ryan believes that we are put here to climb our own mountain. We are here to move through the toughest parts of life, and we’re here to do it together, not alone. Art is but one way…
When not working at the studio, Ryan enjoys lots of hobbies, including singing and playing guitar, jiu-jitsu, muay thai, yoga, skiing, hiking, traveling, Latin/ballroom dancing, and hanging out with his awesome kids.
Learn more about Ryan here: https://frankenflyart.com/about/
Mahalo for being a part of our journey!
Our Artists
Violet
As studio manager, Violet is passionate about Art and creating a safe space for artists of all ages and talents. She especially loves teaching children to discover their inner Bob Ross and hosting birthday parties for young artists making their first masterpiece! Violet believes there is Art in all of us and we can help you find it! While her background is mostly attending over thirty Paint and Sips, she loves the challenge of painting outside her comfort zone and learning new techniques. She is also taking an Art therapy course to add an extra layer of compassion to our instructions for those that require it. As Anne Tucker once said, “All Art requires courage” so stop by, pick up a brush and meet the brave painter in you!
Molly
Molly is the lead artist at the studio and instrumental in the daily happenings from creating paintings, summer camp or training new employees. She loves teaching kids and adults how to paint adorable animals, whimsy characters and is the go to for all things Disney, and Anime. A true lover of vintage, Molly has an eclectic and unique style, and also makes delicious Molly cake pops for the studio. We couldn’t do it without her!
MaKenzie
MaKenzie is a sophmore at the University of Albany studying pre-law, with a major in philosophy and a minor in business. She’s been a rather creative and curious person since she was a young girl, enjoying various art mediums including poetry, drawing, and painting. Her favorite type of painting is abstract, creating intricate designs on both canvases and the walls of her bedroom. She teaches drip art classes on Tuesday evenings so stop in, make something beautiful and meet the artist!
Julieana
Julieana is a freshman at SUNY ADK Community College and is studying fine arts with a minor in Education. She is hoping to one day become an Art Teacher. Art has always been an escape for her and a way to express how she’s feeling through materials and physical representations. Being able to teach art to others makes her grateful for this talent and helps her burst out of her bubble. She is excited to work with people of all ages and to continue this Art journey with the help of this wonderful studio.
Jenn
Jenn creates vibrant spray paint art inspired by nature, the cosmos, and the energy of music. Her paintings transform blank canvases into colorful escapes, glowing galaxies, serene landscapes, and striking silhouettes that spark wonder and curiosity. Every piece blends spontaneous creativity and careful detail, capturing a sense of movement, color and connection. Through her art, she hopes to inspire her audience to imagine, and experience the beauty that surrounds us.
CHE
Che Darden is a visual artist and Skidmore College Student (Class of 2026) exploring themes of memory, time and human connection. Their work focuses on capturing meaningful moments and translating them into visuals that reflect both personal experience and universal emotion.
Tahlia
Tahlia is an artist who is finding herself more all the time, and is passionate about many art forms. She has always been artistic since young, whether it be through drawing and coloring, or playing instruments and singing. Tahlia also has experience in graphic design and photography and is hoping to one day have her own business. She’s happy to teach and guide people to their happy place through art in this studio!
Olivia
Olivia could stare at Art all day. She loves to see what others can create and is always fascinated at how something can be beautiful to one person, but not another. Her favorite thing to draw/paint are people (she enjoys the human focus) and was even a finalist for the Hyden Museum Art contest for young artists in 2025. While her ultimate plan is to be a social worker for children, she is hoping by working at the studio she can come out of her shell and improve her art and teaching skills.
No Experience Necessary. All you need to Bring is Yourself!