Ashley Joon’s lush florals have long made a statement across Denver, most famously in her Talk Denver to Me collaboration splashed across the side of Denver Central Market. Now working under the name of Joon Tajadod, the artist is turning inward. Her focus has shifted from large-scale public murals to more intimate, layered works that feel personal, grounded, and unmistakably her own. That evolution is already visible around the city, from installations at The Ramble Hotel’s The Garden bar to a thoughtfully designed suite at Acoma House. Her newest canvas prints, meanwhile, are available to buy at Pages & Petals. We sat down with the artist to talk about this next chapter, and learn what’s inspiring it.
What inspired your name change? “It was more of an identity awakening than a rebrand. I started my career thinking I needed to hide my Iranian heritage to avoid racism, so I used Joon as my last name instead of Tajadod. Joon is a phrase in Farsi said after people’s names as a sign of endearment. Ultimately, it’s the name I grew into. Once my dad, who is from Iran, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2017, I realized what a gift it is to carry his last name.”
How has your artistic style changed? “I’ve been painting from an aerial point of view in respect to my late father and ancestors watching over me. When referencing my Iranian heritage, I’ll incorporate a border within the painting inspired by Persian rugs. The connection between Mother Nature and femininity links my past and current work. I share women’s stories through the metaphor of flowers. I want to remind people that the beauty of a flower comes from pushing through darkness and leaning into light. Often revered as delicate, like women, a flower’s beauty does not take away from its power and strength.”
What inspires your paintings? “I’m drawn to the chaos of an unruly garden: the thorns of a rose, the quiet danger of unassuming poisonous petals. I’m fascinated by how we use flowers culturally to celebrate, mourn, and express love. As I paint, I’m always thinking about how I want the piece to feel and who it is inspired by. It’s like assembling a puzzle, conveying stories of women through their favorite flowers. Persian history and Zoroastrianism are also endless wells of inspiration. Together, these influences ensure I’ll never run out of stories to tell.”
What are you currently working on? “I’m releasing two collections I’ve been working on simultaneously. Thought Patterns continues to explore Persian stories, and Eden Prairie conveys my mother’s side of the family and my friendships. Now that I’ve painted all my loved ones, I’m ready to expand into storytelling and commissions, working with art collectors, interior designers, luxury brands, and hotels. I’m also excited to create wallpaper designs this year. And this spring, I will be doing an artist residency at the Surf Hotel in Buena Vista.”
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