“The only true gift is a portion of thyself.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Giving the “gift” of oneself is what artists do, and every painting that Barbara Barber does is a true embodiment of this premise. Barber, who now lives in Arizona, hails originally from Long Island and the East Coast, where she says, “much of my heart is.”

As an extremely talented, prolific painter (wall art, home decor, greeting cards and apparel), Barber’s work reflects her love of both the East and the West -- from her renderings of seaports and Kennebunkport homes with white picket fences, to California’s rocky cliffs and shorelines and breathtaking views of Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

Barber also paints under her maiden name, Clements, to honor her father, who loved her art and encouraged her to pursue it.

“My father gave me the artist view of life,” Barber said.

Hal Hunt is a retired pediatrician and consultant, who enjoys painting as an avocation, along with flying his own airplane and exploring whatever is “just over the hill.” His acrylic paintings often depict winding roads and far horizons. He particularly likes employing perspectively dimensional themes, using bright primary colors that

excite and grab your attention.

During Hunt's explorations, his smartphone rides on his hip ready to snap pictures of anything he thinks would translate into an interesting painting. Being a six-month/six-month “snowbird” between Washington state and Arizona sets the stage for many creative shots -- both while on the road driving back and forth exploring different landmarks, and up above the clouds from a pilot’s perspective.

Art has been Claudia Smith’s passion from the time she could clutch a crayon. Smith, who is married to Hal Hunt, is a former art teacher. She also worked for several years in interior design, and is a published cartoonist, illustrator and author. For the past several years, Smith has enjoyed working in mixed-media. She loves incorporating “found materials” into her paintings; their many forms and endless possibilities intrigue her.

Her interwoven, layered style, with its sweeping strokes, mirrors the energy, spirituality and “oneness” she craves to capture. The love and drive of these feelings often spill over into an accompanying poem.

“Each painting and its poem reflect the reverence and respect I feel toward life, and my understanding of myself,” Smith said.

Dennis Woods’ love of the great outdoors and its beauty is clearly evident in his oil paintings. He joyfully conveys this enchantment by sweeping the viewer into landscapes of majestic mountain ranges, verdant valleys, pristine streams and lakes, and stately aspen groves – all in various seasons. Even when he ventures into abstract paintings, there is the allure of nature with its colors and textures.

Woods began his creative journey with photography, happily snapping shots in Colorado and the Southwest. They soon became the inspiration for venturing into oil painting. He says painting is a “soul searching journey” that continues to take him “down highways never before traveled.”

Barber, Hunt, Smith and Woods, all exemplify what artists do: as Ralph Waldo Emerson espouses, they give a portion of themselves by bravely putting their souls on display. To do otherwise would be unthinkable.

Their work will be on display at Emerson Art Gallery (16930 E. Palisades Blvd.) from Feb. 5 until the end of the month.

A public reception will be held Friday, Feb. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided.