In my studio practice I utilize collage as a formal element. It provides a way of putting down tone or erasing previous marks. There is a randomness in collage; the secondary meaning in the text or image becomes an important part of the finished work. Collage allows me to layer multiple images over the scaffolding of a drawing. I use materials from the subject’s world to create their likeness.  This is a modern take on the Renaissance era trope of illustrating the attributes of the subject with a symbol, for example books to show the subject was educated.  Instead, I use materials and text from the subject’s world to create their likeness.