The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce proudly spotlights Elyssa Beers and Brian Trubia, co-owners of Black Velvet Ink, in the latest installment of the ‘Community Proud’ series, sponsored by CorePlus Credit Union.

Black Velvet Ink, a tattoo studio owned by artists Elyssa and Brian, recently opened its doors on Canal Street in the Hall Associates Building after relocating from the Velvet Mill in Stonington. This move marks a new chapter for the duo as they grow their business and deepen their ties to the community.

Elyssa and Brian’s journey has been one of passion, artistry, and entrepreneurship. Elyssa, a native of Plainfield, CT, holds a fine arts degree in painting from Boston University, following her studies at the University of Hartford. She now resides in Preston with her husband, Nick Beers and two dogs. Brian, who grew up in Stonington and Mystic, graduated from the Williams School and earned a chemistry degree from Boston College. He currently lives in Westerly with his wife Ariel and their son Ellis.

Elyssa and Brian first met while working at a tattoo shop in New London, forging a professional connection that would later evolve into a business partnership. After gaining experience at different shops, their paths crossed again at a dinner party during the pandemic. This reconnection led to the opening of Black Velvet Ink at the Velvet Mill in 2020. Earlier this year, they transitioned their business to its new home in Westerly. 

At Black Velvet Ink, artistry takes center stage. Each artist brings their unique style to the table. Brian excels in vibrant color work and thrives on taking on challenging new projects. Elyssa specializes in black and gray realism as well as black geometric designs. Together, they’ve even collaborated on complex pieces, such as tattooing a client simultaneously over three days at the New England Tattoo Expo.

The shop is not just about tattoos—it’s about creating meaningful connections. “When people get tattoos, it usually represents something very special,” Brian shared. “Knowing that we’re contributing to something significant for our clients is fulfilling.”

Black Velvet Ink also stands out for its innovative “business flash events.” These events involve collaborating with other small businesses to host gatherings where attendees can receive small, outline-style tattoos from the studio’s artists. These unique partnerships help foster community engagement and promote local enterprises in a creative way.

Elyssa and Brian draw inspiration from their peers and often attend tattoo conventions to showcase their work and learn from other artists. They’ve participated in events at Mohegan Sun, Boston, Philadelphia, and even Hawaii. They also invite guest artists to their studio, fostering a culture of collaboration and artistic growth.

The new studio space in Westerly, transformed from a former mortgage company into a welcoming, artistic haven, represents a significant milestone for Black Velvet Ink. Elyssa and Brian credit the support of the local community and their talented team of artists, including Rachel Medellin, Morgan Vail, and Ryn Cortina, for their continued success. Special recognition goes to Elyssa’s husband, Nick Beers, for his construction expertise in bringing the new studio to life.

Beyond their work, Brian and Elyssa enjoy hobbies that reflect their creative and nurturing personalities. Brian, a new father, is an avid Warhammer enthusiast, while Elyssa spends her free time gardening and cooking. Both are excited to grow their business in downtown Westerly and build lasting relationships within the community.

As proud Chamber members, Elyssa and Brian are excited to contribute to the vibrant culture of downtown Westerly and look forward to the future of being Community Proud!