When she isn’t stocking up on supplies at Guiry’s and Meininger’s, artist Joon Tajadod is escaping to the mountains for inspiration—often finding it beneath breathtaking waterfalls in Telluride and in the fragrant wildflower fields of Crested Butte. The Denver-based painter is known for her large-scale works of evocative florals, which have appeared as murals and installations across town. They’ve also emerged as a more impactful motif woven into the fabric of her Iranian American heritage. “The presence of flowers in Persian poetry and mythology reinforces that a connection to florals runs deep within me,” she says.
Tajadod recently changed her first name from Ashley to Joon, a Farsi term of endearment her late father used while she was growing up. She says it’s a much truer and more significant representation of herself. “I replaced Tajadod with Joon initially,” she shares. “I’m sad I felt the need to hide my heritage, but my chapter as Ashley Joon led me to realize Ashley never felt like me. There’s something beautiful about getting older and not wanting to live in fear anymore.”
Following a residency at the Surf Hotel in Buena Vista, May 8-10, Tajadod joins musician Tavo Boaman at the Mollie Hotel in Aspen for a live painting performance on June 5. Here, she chats about her favorite flowers, her creative process, and what’s inspiring her now.
How your heritage has shaped your artistic voice.
Embracing my heritage has unlocked a well deep within me. It allows me to feel connected to my father after he passed and gives me a sense of responsibility to represent Iranian Americans.
Meanings from your background that influence what blooms you paint.
I’ve been told, in Iran, the perfume of roses can fill entire cities, and rosewater is used in everything from daily rituals to food. I get to experience this celebration of roses when I taste Persian ice cream. Tulips, the national flower, hold strong symbolic meaning, while hyacinths are traditionally placed on the Haft-Seen table during the Persian New Year at the spring equinox.
Where you create art.
In my home studio, where I have the freedom to work whenever inspiration strikes. Having constant access to my materials is important to me, and living alongside my works in progress feels essential to my creative process. I’m naturally drawn to large-scale pieces, as they allow me to fully express the connection between my body, my movement, and the brush.
Current inspirations.
Golestan Palace in Iran, a place I’ve dreamed of visiting. It was recently destroyed by airstrikes, and the damage to its intricate mosaic mirror rooms affected me. In response to this loss, I’m creating a piece titled “Laleh,” meaning tulip in Farsi. I’m envisioning a garden of white tulips that echo the reflective, fragmented beauty of mirrors, both as a tribute and a way of preserving what has been lost.
Coolest moment of your career.
Painting at the Denver Art Museum in 2019 for the Monet exhibition was a highlight. As a self-taught painter, I consider Monet one of my earliest teachers.
Favorite garden.
I’ve made some impactful memories at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Their rotating art exhibit makes for a new experience every time. Seeing Dale Chihuly and Deborah Butterfield’s work amongst the gardens was transformative. I’m excited for Jaume Plensa’s “A New Humanism” exhibition (open now through September 7).
Flowers you love.
The lush petals of irises, the bold colors of poppies, the scent of magnolias, the playfulness of snap dragons, and the varieties of pansies.
Go-to floral scent.
Hyacinth’s scent is nostalgic for the Persian New Year. Its fragrance signals the arrival of spring, marking a time of renewal, beauty, and new beginnings.
Emotions you hope people experience with your art.
A sense of freedom through the movement. In my darker pieces, I aim to evoke a feeling of calm, something to rest to, while my brighter work is meant to bring a sense of joy.
For more on Joon Tajadod and her work, visit JoonTheArtist.com.