A Dog’s Best Friends

by Elaine Kalber and Mary Best
July 2009

It’s always raining cats and dogs around Stephanie and Todd Belcher. This Winston-Salem couple’s love of animals has led to a creative cottage industry and a life of animal advocacy.

Todd Belcher’s life has gone to the dogs — and he loves every minute of it. The Winston-Salem artist enjoys the sense of fun that the family dogs bring to his regular routine. "Their enthusiasm is contagious; they get so excited about new places and things, even something like seeing a squirrel." Many pet owners would agree when he says, "They are members of the family, and my wife Stephanie and I are as devoted to them as they are to us."

In Todd’s case, the mutual bond led to a new artistic dimension a few years ago when he painted a portrait of Jimmy, the couple’s faithful — albeit often mischievous — dog. "When I did the eyes and it captured the way he looked, I discovered this was something I really loved," Todd says. With that portrait, he found a natural and satisfying expression of his empathy for animals and his artistic talent.

In 2002, Todd and Stephanie formed the Jimmydog Design Group, a custom portrait and graphic design firm. Naming it after Jimmy reflected their creativity and shared commitment to animals. Not surprisingly, the business has been shaped more and more by Todd’s national reputation for whimsical and strikingly authentic pet portraits.

Many of Todd’s works are commissioned as gifts, which he paints from photographs. He begins each portrait by focusing on the animal’s individual characteristics. "If you capture the details — the way the mouth opens, the tilt of the head, the way the fur lies — the way it all looks comes together to convey the personality of the subject." He also tries to paint in a lively manner so the result is not a lifeless, static representation. His portfolio includes dogs, cats, a horse and a rabbit for folks all over the country.

Todd grew up in Dallas, N.C., where his parents provided an inspiring and pet-friendly environment for the young artist. "Our dogs were always integral parts of our family," he recalls, "and from this I learned to appreciate their devotion, intelligence and individuality. That’s why I approach each painting in terms of capturing the characteristics of the animal as an individual. Each pet I had growing up not only looked different; each pet was different in terms of overall disposition or personality."

After receiving his B.S. and M.A. in art education from Appalachian State University, Todd taught art in public schools, community colleges and universities before becoming a full-time artist in 2003. His animal portraits have been highlighted in such magazines as and featured in more than 40 galleries throughout the Southeast. Stephanie, also an Appalachian graduate, is a native of Georgia and award-winning graphic designer and Jimmydog’s creative director.

Stephanie and Todd have been active volunteers for animal welfare in the Triad since moving here in 1993. Stephanie is currently president of the Forsyth Humane Society. She has also headed the organization’s fundraising committee. And Todd has donated paintings and prints for various fundraising auctions. In 2006 and 2008, he painted three-dimensional dog forms for Art Unleashed!, an auction event to raise money for the society’s adoption center. They also spend time caring and finding homes for lost and homeless animals.

For the Belchers, their love of animals is as real at home as in their careers and volunteer efforts. Jimmy, who passed away in 2003, and their current dogs Freddie and Joey are rescue dogs. "Each day I take them to one of our local parks for an hour or so," Todd says. The compassionate husband-and-wife team donates a percentage of all profits from their portraits back to animal rescue organizations, most of which are based in the Triad.

"My whole life seems to be centered around my love of pets," says Todd, "whether it is playing with them, painting them or helping raise money for them."

For more information about the Jimmydog Design Group, visit jimmydog.com. To find out more about the Forsyth Humane Society, visit forsythhumane.org.

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