Electric Feel

Over Seven Years of Electrifying Columbus – How James ‘JBird’ Gannon Revolutionized the Tattoo Industry with Electric Panda Tattoo Co.

By Frank Etheridge

It’s talent and teamwork that makes James “J-Bird” Gannon’s dream work at the award-winning Electric Panda Tattoo Co.

When Gannon (@jbirdtattoos) opened his popular North Columbus shop (off Milgen Road in the same strip mall as SoHo) in October 2018, his goal was to create “the go-to spot for quality tattoos in Columbus, Georgia.”

Business soon boomed as word spread of Electric Panda’s top-quality tattoo artists and chill customer service. Gannon says that when he first opened the space, he spent three months building it out to fit his specs. “There wasn’t another tattoo shop within a 10-minute drive of here,” he says.

“Then everybody realized it was such an untapped market on this side of town and opened up shops around here.” Still, Electric Panda continues to flourish and remains the “go-to spot” Gannon dreamed of.

“All the awards and accolades, they come as the result of hard work and determination,” says Gannon. “Building a loyal clientele is what makes it happen.”

Specializing in black-and-gray, realism, portraits and custom lettering, Gannon spent years in such high-demand that his shop was booked months in advance. Now working with a stellar roster of three talented full-time artists plus himself (along with the leading local piercer), Electric Panda Co. is happy to accommodate walk-ins as well as appointments.“I love my guys,” the boss says of his team. They do great.”

Gannon’s key to hiring and keeping talented artists at his shop?

“Being picky,” he says. “Not just hiring somebody because they’re good at doing what you’re looking for them to do. I want to see their portfolio and I want to see their attitude. I want to make sure they’ll be here ready to work and do good tattoos.”

Well-known and respected for his skill and artistry, Gannon is also highly regarded in the area as a great person to work for.

His leadership philosophy?

“Don’t be a dick,” he says with a grin. “Don’t treat people like slaves. Respect. Respect your guys and they’ll respect you. Knowing everybody’s got their own things that happen from time to time in life and not coming in and busting everybody’s balls all the time. Nobody wants to work for a ball-buster.”

Told in their own words, here’s the inside scoop, from the magicians making the magic of Electric Panda Tattoo Co.

Andrew “Drew” Martinez
@inkpusher5000

“Everyone here is solid.

You’ll get a clean tattoo. We all know what each other specializes in, so when a client comes in, we know exactly who to send them to.

I specialize in color. I’ve won trophies for my colorwork. I can also do black and gray but when people ask for me, it’s for color.

Neo-traditional is my favorite style. It’s the same concepts as American Traditional except more, and different, line widths; in American Traditional, there is one line width and usually one solid color. For me, to make it red, I use four different shades of red, where the color slowly transitions from light to dark red. So I’m like New Wave Neo-Traditional.

I’ve drawn ever since I was a little kid. I grew up in San Antonio, Texas. At 14, I made a whole new tattoo machine and tattooed my brother, he was 12, and then did all the neighborhood kids. Their parents came to my parents and complained and they took my machine away. As long as I do nice, clean tattoos, J-Bird lets me do my thing.

Weston Mod
@weston_mod_piercings

“Being there for my clients is my favorite thing about what I do, focusing on their well-being and providing service they may not get somewhere else. I am happy to take care of anybody that walks through my door and do it to the best of my ability. I have the knowledge to make sure they get a happy, safe-healing experience. I bust out the full aseptic technique right there in front of you and explain it every step of the way. I’ve done it this way for 13 years. I developed my aseptic technique through mentors, piercers that have 20, 30, 40 years more experience than me.

I’m always reaching out, studying, learning new tricks of the trade, man – there’s all kinds of ways you can do a piercing. You want to aim for the safest way. I use implant-grade metals. It’s not about making a couple of dollars. Your well-being is the first thing on my mind. Noses are my most popular, then navels, then helixes and earlobes.

I’m not a surgeon or anything but I have had to learn basic anatomy to be able to pull these procedures off. That could be what separates me from somebody else. Relationships keep me here at Electric Panda. I’ve worked with J-Bird for 9 years. I’m at home here.

This will always be my home. I’m here because I want to be. People I work with are basically family. J-Bird, he doesn’t run his shop like anybody else. He’s fair. He’s understanding. I used to have somebody breathing down my neck telling me what to do.

J-Bird is a monster in the skin, but he’s also a really good person. Best boss I’ve ever had, and I’ve worked in 8 different shops and guest spotted in 11 more. We’re good people here.“

Antonio “Tony” Lee
@m3lanin_g0d

“I’m not in it for the money.

Getting money is cool, but I do this because I enjoy it. I can work anywhere based on my portfolio alone, but I came here because the people of Columbus come here. I have lots of repeat customers. Here, you get art and not that stuff that is everywhere else.

This is not a manufacturing company. I have more artistic freedom here.

When a customer comes in and says, ‘I want a heart,’ I talk with them about their vision and connect with them and then, with care, I make my creation tailored to them. It’s like the difference between somebody saying, ‘My body is a canvas,’ versus a paint-by-numbers situation.

Here, we actually get to be artists with our work. At this shop, if you don’t want to do it, you don’t have to do it.

I specialize in black and gray, anything that has black and gray. I’ve done tattoos since I was 13. I went to a juvenile facility for five years, and I learned to do it there with a CD player, a fork, a paperclip, and a few rubber bands. It ran off water power. I’m 35 now, so I’ve been doing this for over 20 years.

I’m never satisfied with whatever I do. Nothing’s ever truly perfect. That keeps me inspired and my work fresh.”

Electric Panda Tattoo Co.
5751 Milgen Road, Suite 105
(706) 507-5720
Open noon-9 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
10% off for Military. Prices and style vary by artist. Shop minimum $100. Walk-ins welcome.
@electricpandatattooco.