This rare collage by Pettibon is a prime example of his characteristic style. The red "A" emblazoned on her chest and on her forehead has dual meanings, referring both to Hawthorne's, "Scarlet Letter" a symbol of the adulterer, as well as to an adolescent 'A' student. In bold letters, Pettibon asks if she is a good person and then notates on the side in pencil is: "She seems to think so of herself anyway, having read her assignment (for the day) and passed with an 'A'.

Using recurring themes and characters, Raymond Pettibon has created a highly personalized universe within his body of work. The artist frequently combines his characteristic trains, baseball players, villains, and nuclear explosions with literary references, quoting everything and everyone, from William Blake to John Ruskin to 1950s comic books. Although originating at a highly personal level, Pettibon’s work has evolved into a commentary of American culture. Using a mixture of visual and literary elements, his drawings and prints often delve into popular culture’s violent and sexual repression. In 2004 the artist was recognized for the depth of his cultural commentary when he received the Whitney Biennale’s prestigious the Bucksbaum Award. Pettibon lives and works in Hermosa Beach, California and is represented by David Zwirner Gallery in New York.