The Tao of Rudy
Artwork: Corinne Humphrey
Corrine Humphrey and her dog Rudy collaborated on this book project which has been appropriately labeled as “Canine Wisdom for the Current Age”
To walk into Corinne Humphrey’s Park City home is to walk into the pages of her new children’s book. Each plate in “The Tao of Rudy” is a reproduction of the paintings that decorate her walls. Corinne works in acrylic on canvas with a modern American primitive style that translates well into children’s illustrations.
Rudy, the subject of the paintings and the book, is a large honey-colored mixed breed whom Corinne adopted from Park City’s beloved pet rescue center, Furburbia. Rudy had been abused as a puppy. He was returned to the Summit County Friends of Animals three times before Corinne adopted him.
Corinne and Rudy’s first painting together was entitled “Don’t Be Afraid to Leave the Path,” a piece of canine wisdom that Corinne learned while being dragged into the sagebrush by 120 pounds of dog. (What Park City dog owner hasn’t been similarly commanded?)
“Don’t Be Afraid to Leave the Path” started to resonate in numerous ways for Corinne. “Don’t be afraid to paint over your work,” counseled Park City art teacher Sue Galusha, from whom Corinne took a class. “Don’t be afraid to start a new career,” repeated a voice in Corinne’s head. At the time, Corinne was communications coordinator for the Park City Chamber/Bureau. Painting and writing became a life-changing experience that drove her to leave her full-time job.
So Corinne and Rudy began to collaborate on a sequence of simple aphorisms. “These are messages I feel strongly about,” Corinne says, underscoring the book’s subtitle, Canine Wisdom for the Current Age.
Reception of “The Tao of Rudy” has been positive across the country. With book signings from California to Virginia, Corinne and Rudy are now contemplating their next venture.
“Perhaps a board game or the tao in different languages,” barks Rudy.
“Was it Goethe or Sir Edmund Hillary,” Corinne asks while patting Rudy on the head, “who said that all you need to do is take a couple of steps in the right direction and someone comes into your life to help you at that moment?”
“The Tao of Rudy,” $19.95, is available at Dolly’s Book Store and online at rudyandcoco.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Summit County Friends of Animals, R.E.A.D and other charities.
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