Rudy Helmo was born in Thurmansbang, Bavaria, Germany in 1908. From an early age, he was intrigued by the famous illustrators whose work appeared in weekly magazines such as Simpliscissimus. As a teenager, he started painting. After World War I, Rudy joined his brothers in New York City. While working long shifts in restaurants, Rudy remained dedicated to painting and studied for four years at the Art Students League. In 1944, Rudy and his wife moved to Troy, New York in search of a quieter life. Rudy spent the evenings working in restaurants and the days painting. Soon, he was accomplished enough to win prizes, exhibit, and start teaching painting classes. He continued to paint in upstate New York until his health began to fail in the 1980s. Rudy died on July 1, 1986, while living in Watervliet, NY. His work was exhibited posthumously in 1993 at a group exhibit at Russell Sage College in Troy called "Forty Years Later" which included other noted Upper Hudson artists who were his contemporaries and colleagues.