Foreward

The author and I were both trained in a certain type of art school in the 70’s
and early 80’s. They weren’t about simply teaching the techniques or the
craft of handling the materials. Students often prefer honing their
techniques to be much safer than putting out their ideas to be evaluated
Once beyond the intro level, it became about what you did and why you did
it, rather than how good your technique was. You were taught to be an
artist as opposed to being a painter or a potter. Your idea came first and
then the proper techniques and materials were to be selected once you had
decided on what image would express your idea. It wasn’t uncommon for a
painting student to venture into sculpture or printmaking.

Upon retiring from a career as a social worker Ms. Hodder returned to the
arts. This time however, her interests were better served by poetry. I was
somewhat surprised but having been trained as we were, it makes perfect
sense. The results of this endeavor are a fine testament to the training she
received.  For some retirement is seen as a finish line. For others, it is a new
beginning. A time for a new form of work, one chosen with the heart, to be
executed with the hands and the mind.

Time is the theme of her collection of recent poems, “What Time is Left”.
Some of her poems look to the past, some look to the future. No matter
where she turns her gaze, she is boldly looking inward, honestly reflecting
what she has experienced, what she knows and what she hopes lies in the
future.          W. Stephen Hodder