About Reed

NYC-based Reed Slater blends art and design to capture the city's dynamic energy. He transforms everyday moments into bold expressions of urban life.

I’m Reed Slater, an artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Since 2012, I’ve been using steeped tea bags as a medium to create artwork—a process I discovered in a moment of serendipity. One day, while enjoying a cup of tea, I noticed the print left by my teabag on the napkin. That simple moment was the start a decade-long journey of experimentation and refinement, turning an everyday ritual into a unique art form.

My studio became a laboratory, filled with sheets of paper at various stages of drying, each teabag leaving a distinct mark. The smell was intoxicating. After removing the teabags, I pressed the paper flat and photographed each composition to capture its vibrant detail. What started as small creations for pillow covers evolved into larger, refined designs ideal for scarves.

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.

After a traumatic brain injury and coma left me unable to work outside my studio, my art became my sole focus and livelihood, allowing me to turn my passion into something sustainable. Each scarf and pillow cover reflects this journey—a testament to resilience and the unexpected beauty in life’s challenges.

Thank you for being a part of my story and supporting my art.