Babylon Artist Combines Fine Art And Tattoos In Second Local Shop

WEST BABYLON, NY —Babylon Village artist Chris Mason has been combining his artistic ability with tattooing for seven years at his West Islip shop Live Wire Arts. Mason's realistic tattoo work has proven so popular that he's opened a second tattoo parlor in West Babylon at 25 Brookvale Ave. Beacon Tattoo opened last Friday in the strip mall anchored by music shop Looney Tunes.

Chris and his wife Juliette Mason opened Live Wire Arts after pursuing fine arts around the country, and ultimately settling back home in Babylon Village. Chris Mason started tattooing while studying illustration at Parsons, and also worked as a professional muralist and sculptor. Juliette Mason tells Patch that the couple decided to take a leap and open the tattoo shop after a series of life-altering events.

"After we were married, and I had a full time position as an art teacher, my tenure year was the year of Hurricane Sandy, and I found out I was pregnant with our twins and also getting excessed due to budget cuts. That summer our first home was burglarized, and we moved in with family while I was on partial bed rest. We were at a crossroads," she said.

But the shop got so busy Mason ended up hiring three other tattoo artists, who all have illustration backgrounds and can create custom tattoo artwork for clients. Even as the coronavirus pandemic offered new challenges, Juliette Mason says they knew they needed to expand, not just because business was so busy, she said, but so Chris can be closer to his young family.

"Over seven years ago we scouted this spot, and just missed out on it, so when we saw the opportunity this time, we had to jump again. We have also always been upfront with our clients about how we put family first. It has always been a priority to us to have Chris nearby and be able to run home, and keep reasonable hours so he can make bedtime with our kids most nights," she explained.

Mason and the other Beacon Tattoo artists have added additional safety measures to operate during the pandemic. In addition to having always used disposable tattoo equipment, which reduces the risk of blood pathogens, the shop is using UV wands to sanitize surfaces and items and in the circulation systems. Temperature checks are a much and walk-in appointments have been replaced by same-day service.