Hodges had a successful illustration career which lasted twenty five years. His art graced the covers of more than three hundred book covers. He worked for most of the major publishing houses in New York. Hodges was a twenty three year member of the prestigious Society of Illustrators in New York. During this time, he received many citations of merit for work exhibited in annual shows. He was selected to do the painting for the twenty ninth call for entries and chaired the thirty fifth annual exhibition. After years of executing ideas and concepts of others, he now paints subjects that are of personal interest. He has had numerous one man shows, and has participated in group shows throughout the United States. He was a finalist in the 2001 and 2002 Artists Magazine Competition. He received an award of excellence in the 2004 Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition. He received an award of excellence in the 2006 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, and received a 2007 Certificate of excellence award in the International Portrait Competition hosted by the Portrait Society of America. Most recently, Hodges was awarded Signature membership status by Oil Painters of America in December 2008. He also won first place in the category, Portraits of Women, in the Members showcase of the Portrait Society of America 2009.