SARATOGA SPRINGS — Like many people during COVID, Ryan Smithson turned to making art — using butterfly wings to create a picture of a dancer for his daughter.
Little did he know, that picture would eventually lead to him taking over Saratoga Paint and Sip at 80 Henry St. in Saratoga Springs.
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Photos: Saratoga Paint and Drip, Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson talks to Daily Gazette Biz Beat reporter Shenandoah Briere inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson talks to Daily Gazette Biz Beat reporter Shenandoah Briere inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson, left, along with business partner and ‘studio queen’ Violet Glasser add a splash of paint to canvases inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson, left, points to one of the completed pieces as business partner and ‘studio queen’ Violet Glasser looks on inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson adds a splash of paint to a canvas on an easel in front of the classroom inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson adds a splash of paint to a canvas on an easel in front of the classroom inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio business partner and ‘studio queen’ Violet Glasser adds a splash of paint to a canvas on an easel in front of the classroom inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio business partner and ‘studio queen’ Violet Glasser adds a splash of paint to a canvas on an easel in front of the classroom inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
In a throwback moment from the television series M*A*S*H, Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson readies his own self-portrait of his thumb for a staged photo inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
In a throwback moment from the television series M*A*S*H, Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson readies his own self-portrait of his thumb for a staged photo inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Business partner and ‘studio queen’ Violet Glasser looks on.
In a throwback moment from the television series M*A*S*H, Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson readies his own self-portrait of his thumb for a staged photo inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Business partner and ‘studio queen’ Violet Glasser looks on.
Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson, left, stands with business partner and ‘studio queen’ Violet Glasser with two of their own works inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner and author, Ryan Smithson, stands with his book ‘Ghosts of War’ inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in front of his original art series, Frankenflies, art created with dead butterfly wings.
Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner and author, Ryan Smithson, stands with his book ‘Ghosts of War’ inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in front of his original art series, Frankenflies, art created with dead butterfly wings.
A look at some of the artwork created by Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson, part of the Frankenflies collection, art made with the wings of dead butterflies, inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
The logo design by Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson, part of the Frankenflies collection, art made with the wings of dead butterflies, inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
A look at some of the artwork created by Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson, part of the Frankenflies collection, art made with the wings of dead butterflies, inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Artwork created inside Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio, hung inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Artwork stations inside Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio, the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
A branded stand-up highlighting Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio owner Ryan Smithson, inside the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Exterior at the Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Exterior sign above the Saratoga Paint & Drip Studio the newly rebranded studio at 80 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
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