I don't really even like to drink tea. I make art with it. I had the idea that I could capture the energy from tea bags to make a picture. I brewed some tea bags, arranged them, and then let them dry on the paper.
The first time I tried to make a tea-print, I had to see if it would even work. At first, I questioned if what I was making could even be considered art because of my unusual process.
I’m Reed Slater, an artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Since 2012, I’ve been using steeped tea bags as a medium to create art. I use acid printing to digitally print this art on natural fabric I make it into scarves and pillow covers.
Soon my studio became a laboratory, filled with sheets of paper at various stages of drying, each teabag leaving a distinct mark. The pleasant scent of steeping tea filled the room. After removing the teabags, I pressed the paper flat and photographed each composition to capture its vibrant detail.
I made pillowcases from the smaller square prints before I understood how to make tea prints to create larger images for scarves.
"Tea-printed” means exactly what it sounds like. I steep tea bags, then place them on paper where they leave unpredictable, expressive prints. The originals are photographed and turned into high-resolution designs, which I use to create scarves and pillow covers.
To transfer these designs onto fabric, I use digital acid printing, which bonds my art to natural fibers like silk and wool. This technique brings the Teascarf Brooklyn Collection to life, showcasing the surprising beauty of a simple medium.
Thank you for being a part of my story and supporting my art.
