KAABOO Del Mar art paints more than just a pretty picture

Sept. 16, 2018 11:35 AM PT

Art is everywhere on the KAABOO Del Mar campus. From large scale murals to much smaller installations, expressions of all different shapes and sizes, in a vast array of different mediums, are as much of the experience as anything else.

In addition to the varied pieces scattered along the paths to each stage (many times featuring the artists working on their creations in real time) is a dedicated art fair.

Housed in the O’Brien Pavilion, almost 100 national and international artists set up shop to showcase and sell their paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry, and installations.

PACIFIC showcases four very different 2018 KAABOO artists in hopes of highlighting just a small sample of the amazing non-musical creations that can be found on-site.

May Levy — Photography

May Levy was invited to KAABOO last year, but didn’t end up making the journey from her native New Orleans. The lifelong point-and-shoot photographer decided to make it her profession in 2011 and hasn’t looked back since. Starting with the historically rich musical themes in her hometown, Levy now operates a booth at the renowned Frenchmen Art Market. The first-time KAABOOer recently had one of her more striking images, Black Flamingo, featured on National Geographic’s Instagram account and her work is on display at both Cafe Envie and Envie 308 in the heart of the Crescent City.

“It was a personal victory,” Levy said. “Envie is my favorite cafe, and the owner, Charlie, loved my images so much that he made me his regular artist.”

mayphotogallery.com

Elizabeth Dunlop — Sculpture (Glass & Metal)

Another first-year attendee, Dunlop splits her time between San Diego and Mesa, Ariz., where she has a studio. A former teacher and painter, the multi-disciplined artist started working with dichroic glass through her passion for jewelry. Developed by NASA, dichroic glass contains metal oxides on it and changes color when heated beyond 1,400 degrees. Dunlop uses a kiln for this and then incorporates a process called tack fusing to mount it onto different kinds of metals such as copper, steel and aluminium.

“I was a painter,” said Dunlop. “But I took a glass class ten years ago and knew it was something I was supposed to be doing. I say these pieces come from my heart-self.”

elizabethdunlop.com/home

David Young V — Mural

David Young V has been a part of every KAABOO to-date and doesn’t plan on skipping out anytime soon. The San Francisco-based artist showcases his work in a variety of ways, from mural festivals and illegal street art projects to gallery installations and private commissions. He painted on top of, while incorporating elements from, his first-year mural during the last two KAABOO festivals, but hit the reset button in 2018. The new, large-scale piece is based on an excerpt from an old love letter Young penned years ago, and was created on-the-spot upon his arrival in San Diego a few days ago.

“I enjoy writing a lot,” Young said. “And usually I have very cryptic symbols as part of the work, but I figured I’d start incorporating some of my other interests into my art.”

dyoungv.com

Meredith Dittmar — Sculpture (mixed media)

Dittmar has a booth in the O’Brien Pavilion as well, but it’s hard to miss her large-scale sculpture in the middle of the building. Located in the heart of KAABOO’s art fair, the Portland-based artist used paper, wood, polymer clay and metal for her 10-foot by 50-foot centerpiece. Her husband Randy, a physical therapist by trade, assists his wife and constructs many of the large, wood pieces she uses. Typically working in much smaller proportions, Dittmar relishes the chance for people to notice new things upon multiple viewings and always works through the scrutiny of introspection.

“I do a lot of diagramming of the human condition,” she said. “And I try to reduce it all down to what reminds me to be present. But this new piece is a constantly evolving storyline of my work.”

neverborn.org