About

Ryan Smithson

As a sales professional, combat veteran, published author, and great dad, I bring a variety of life experiences to my workday. I have a strong commitment to human development and community service, and I bring a positive attitude, analytical skills, and relentless drive to everything I do. My goal is to empower the people around me to create success together with integrity, perseverance, and professionalism.

In my personal life, I began penning essays in college about my military experiences, culminating in my memoir, "Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI," HarperCollins, 2009. The book is now read in high schools and colleges throughout the country, and the experience has given me the opportunity to communicate a positive message of resilience and post-traumatic growth to audiences of all kinds. I now channel my creative energy into art made with real butterfly wings (responsibly sourced). See my gallery at Frankenflies.com

Work hard. Play hard. I spend my free time coaching and training MMA, traveling, hiking, skiing, volunteering at my firehouse, writing, creating art, ballroom/Latin dancing, playing the guitar, and spending time with my family and two kids, who are also hard-working artists!

www.PaintAndDripStudios.com

www.frankenflyart.com