Ink & Inclusion

Toys For Tots at Electric Panda Tattoo Co.

By Erick Richman

A toy might be just a simple hunk of plastic, but it might also mean the world to a child.

"[Children are] the future leaders of the world", says James Gannon, better known to his friends, customers, and crew as J-Bird. “You want them to feel appreciated, that they’re loved, that their life matters.”

As he moves into his third year of owning and operating the Electric Panda tattoo parlor, J-Bird is focused on giving back and bringing up the next generation. He has a yearly tradition of making the Toys for Tots drive a priority, collecting toys and cash donations – as well as donating gifts himself.

“This year I’m buying ten basketball goals and ten basketballs. A toy helps a child, but a basketball goal is going to help a whole community. He’s got a basketball and a basketball goal and the whole neighborhood can play,” J-Bird says.

Pointing out that most Americans are only “30 days and one bad decision” away from homelessness, he says a simple toy can make all the difference to those who feel left out during the holiday season.

That feeling of isolation and deprivation is familiar to him; his voice resonates with nostalgia and a hint of pain when he describes an underprivileged child sitting in the back of the classroom after the holiday break. He tells the feeling of that child, seeing the expensive new gadgets and toys of their classmates, while “being lucky to eat that night.” “I know what it’s like to not have money,” he says, recounting his long journey to becoming the father, thriving business owner and sought-after artist he is today. “There’s people who came up a lot harder than I did. It feels good knowing I’m in a position to give back.”

James "J'Bird" Gannon

That position is a foundation that J-Bird has built through his passion for the artistry and individuality of tattoos. A Columbus native, he left his troubles behind to try his hand in Indiana, only to find himself on a bad path there as well.

“I was tattooing out of the house, doing graffiti, stuff like that. I met a guy up in Indianapolis… a professional tattoo artist, he pushed me to get an apprenticeship. He saw some of my graffiti and artwork, told me they’d teach me.”

But that chance wasn’t enough for J-Bird to make a permanent change.

“They wound up firing me,” he laughs. “I went to another shop. It took several years to grow, for me to become the person I am today.”

He counts himself lucky, and grateful to his mother, who worked three jobs to provide for him during his childhood, and the people who gave him more chances and continued support.

“There’s three options in the streets - dead, prison, or strung out on dope.”

Now, he uses his position to send a message to others who might be on the path he once was, advising them to “find yourself around art, and stay there.”

He speaks of art as an antidote to the hopelessness that can come from growing up in poverty, and it is clear why both his tattoo shop and the Toys for Tots drive are so close to his heart.

Dominique & J’Bird Gannon

“Drugs and crime are acts of desperation,” he explains, making clear that, while illicit activity can seem appealing to someone seeking financial stability, it ultimately isn’t worth the trouble. “The streets, the clubs, the house parties, that’s not what’s happening… Run in those circles long enough and you’re gonna become a part of that circle.”

For him, art was his pathway to the life he has today. Known for their realistic nature, his tattoos go far beyond simple replication, and he uses his ability to try to honor the memories and personalities of the people he inks.

“I really like to look for pictures that are full of life,” he says, referring to the inspiration behind his striking, complex portrait work. That style, developed over his 11 years as a tattoo artist, has won him multiple awards.

When J-Bird reminisces about the process of creating his own style, his focus is on the opportunities that allowed him to develop his artistry and work his way to the life he has now, opportunities often denied to so many who find themselves without the freedom to build a better life.

“There’s so much talent in the prison system – artists, singers, rappers, musicians, painters, there’s a lot of talent in our penitentiaries.” Speaking from experience, he recognizes that many of the actions that lead to incarceration come from “misguided energy.” While it can be hard to see from the outside, he asserts that “they’re not necessarily bad people, they’ve just been through bad shit and didn’t know where to focus [their energy]. I think art is an escape from that, it gives you something to be proud of.”

Electric Panda Crew

Since negativity can be a focal point for the frustration so many experience, J-Bird focuses on positivity and leading by example, saying “people need to biggen each other up,” to tell each other ‘man, I love the way you handled that situation.’ That stuff builds confidence. If we had more people bigging each other up rather than tearing them down, we’d have a lot better community to live in.”

For many, J-Bird doesn’t look like a typical community leader. He shares an experience of shopping at Sam’s Club and overhearing two women whispering back-and-forth about his extensive, highly visible tattoos. “I walked past them,” he recalls, “and said, ‘I hope you have a nice day.’”

“JBird” & “Babybird”

“I wish I had been behind them at checkout,” he chuckles. “I would have offered to pay for their groceries.”

Though the stigma against those with tattoos has decreased in the last few decades, it still persists. J-Bird suggests that this stigma can come from a lack of familiarity with the perspectives of others.

“People want to look at everything that happens from their point of view. Sometimes when we take a step back and separate ourselves from our personal feelings, consider what someone else is feeling, it can change a perspective.”

For example, TV and film might often associate tattoos with criminals, but he speaks with conviction when he says that “the real monsters look like everyday people.”

To some, tattoos can be a powerful tool for healing and growth.

People visit Electric Panda, J-Bird says, for a large variety of reasons. “People have scars… Women out here who have had breast cancer… [come in for a] tattoo across their chest to make them feel more confident… I’ve seen people’s confidence level boost 100 % from getting a tattoo.”

Ultimately, tattoos are highly personal expressions of a person’s lived experience - and a window into that experience. “People walk up to me and talk to me about my tattoos all the time,” he says.

Toys for Tots Drop off at Electric Panda Tattoo 5751 Milgen Road, Columbus

His tattoos tell his story of struggle and accomplishment, which – at the end of 2020 – has brought him to his goal of bringing joy to as many children this holiday season as he can by making Electric Panda a go-to drop-off spot for holiday giving.

“You know you’re doing something good when you’re donating to Toys for Tots. Know that if [you] bring [your] donations to Electric Panda, they’re going where they’re supposed to go.”

You can drop off donations – new, in-packaging toys and other child-appropriate gifts – to J-Bird for the toy drive through December 19th by visiting Electric Panda at 5751 Milgen Rd, in the same block of stores as Soho Bar and Grill and Cagney’s Party Shop.

A $20 toy might not seem like much, but J-Bird points out it is the meaning behind the toy that matters, that tells a child “There’s people out here who do care, and there is better out here. There is something to look forward to.”