Who is Jappi?
Will Stripp replies:
Jappi Jalapeño (JJ) appeared to me while I was probably cutting chilies or growing them. She appeared to me as “she.” She had high heel shoes. And she wanted to dance. And I said, okay. Something made me want to paint her.
First, she was she. Then she also became he. And they. Then after a trip to Greece and seeing all those Byzantine churches and icons, JJ became an icon for a spell, sporting a halo and a beard.
I painted many JJs at a table, the last supper - I call it Chile Revolution.
I painted a whole Xmas series. JJ loves celebrations and holidays.
There are JJs for every occasion, every holiday: Christmas Happy Jalapeños. Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve!
Happy Jalapeño is a party animal. A party vegetable. Some have big red lips, red high heels, big hearts. Some wear masks. Each is different. But in their heart, they are jalapeños and they are jappi which is pronounced HAPPY!