Initially, I painted my surroundings, a commentary on the past and present. Now working out of my home studio in Kommetjie, my focus has been on relief and drypoint intaglio, with repeated experimentation in monotype. In January 2021, I moved to woodblock and I think it is where I’ll stay.

Process and authentically connecting with my materials is important to me. I must see the evidence of the wood in my print. I bow down to the natural grain and choose a block to best show off what I plan to carve on it. I believe in the connection from the eye to the brain and through the hand, to the plane that I work on. A translation and transfer of my energy to the piece of art. 

McClarty’s recent body of work Head Under Water is a series of semi abstract reduction woodblock prints inspired by photographs taken of the artist submerged under water, from above. The edges of the form are broken and with no clear start and end to the body, it becomes a part of the environment.