Aaron Calderon’s journey began in the quiet town of San Antonio, Kalayaan, Laguna, where his love for art was shaped by nature, simplicity, and curiosity. Before tattooing, he was just a young artist who loved to draw, explore, and observe the world around him.

Everything changed during his college years at Philippine Women's University Sta. Cruz, when a spontaneous decision led him to an underground tattoo competition. It was his first time witnessing the craft—and in that moment, something clicked. He realized this was the path he wanted to pursue.

With no formal training, Aaron taught himself from scratch. He spent his savings on tattoo magazines, studied tutorials online, and dedicated countless hours to learning while others spent time on leisure. His passion turned into discipline, and discipline into purpose.

Before fully stepping into tattooing, he honed his artistic skills through various creative work—face painting, henna art, bartending, and studying fine arts. These experiences shaped not just his technique, but also his connection with people and storytelling through art.

Aaron drew inspiration from world-renowned tattoo artists like Dimitri Samohin and respected Filipino masters such as Dado Ricard David—who would later become his mentor at Needle Z. Under Dado’s guidance, Aaron refined his skills and evolved into a more disciplined and versatile artist.