Photos: Yarn bomber HOTTEA comes in from the cold

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Minneapolis — "I got tasered like four or five times," says Eric Rieger, aka HOTTEA, of his time as a graffiti artist. "I went to jail." Now he leaves his mark in a different way. He's photographed here on a bridge in Minneapolis. (Photo for MPR by Eli Eijadi) link to this photo

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HOTTEA works at the HAUS Salon in Minneapolis. This is the third exhibition the salon has hosted since it opened in January, and owner Jessica Reipke says customers look forward to seeing what is new on the walls. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

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Minneapolis — Caitlin Dvorak washes HAUS Salon customer Sean Berry's hair. Berry says the yarn installation is perfect for the space. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

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Minneapolis — The view customers have at HAUS Salon in the morning light while having their hair washed. (Photo for MPR by Eli Eijadi) link to this photo

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Minneapolis — HOTTEA's portrait of his grandmother watches across the salon. The artist says his art is based in his family, and his grandmother was a hugely important figure in his life. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

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Minneapolis — Rieger takes a break on the HAUS floor. After graduating from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2007, he became a freelancer. But he missed the energy and excitement of doing street art. (Photo for MPR by Eli Eijadi) link to this photo

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Minneapolis — The fencework, as he calls it, began with him weaving the word HOTTEA into chain link fences. It became his street name. He said he didn't know it, but as HOTTEA was riding his bike around Minneapolis looking for spots to work, he was actually part of a larger movement: yarn bombing. (Photo for MPR by Eli Eijadi) link to this photo