ABOUT AARON

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.

Today, with over a decade of experience, Aaron specializes in hyperrealism—both colored and black & grey—while also embracing styles like Japanese and oriental art. He believes in limitless growth, guided by his principle:

“Ang tanging kalaban mo lang ay ang sarili mo.” “Kilusan mo ang pangarap mo”

From a small-town dreamer to an artist recognized on international stages, Aaron continues to push his boundaries—one tattoo at a time.

Achievements

Judge – Rouen Tattoo Festival, France
4th Place – Best of Show, Rouen
3rd Place – Realism Category, Antwerp Convention
Nearly Champion – Taiwan Tattoo Convention
Champion – Portrait Realism, Dutdutan 2022
(The win that opened doors and changed his career forever.)

Turn Your Vision Into Art

Every tattoo tells a story. Let our experienced artists create a custom piece that reflects who you are and what matters most to you.