Kevin Short was born on August 9, 1960, in San Diego, California.
He studied at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Kevin Short was the official poster artist for the 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

The art of Kevin Short is or has been exhibited in museums, galleries, universities, and public spaces including but not necessarily limited to the following:
American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, CA
Atelier Kimberley Boege, Phoenix, AZ
Blue Rain Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, CA
California Surf Museum, Oceanside, CA
Carnegie Art Museum, Oxnard, CA
Casa Romantica, San Clemente, CA
Chapman University, Orange, CA
Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, OR
Cove Gallery, Doheny State Park, CA
Del Monte Fine Art, Carmel, CA
Gallery McCollum, Laguna Beach, CA
Hamilton Galleries, Santa Monica, CA
Hilbert Museum of California Art, Orange, CA
Hong Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
Huntington Beach Art Center, Huntington Beach, CA
Irvine Museum, Irvine, CA
John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana, CA
Laguna Beach Museum of Art, Laguna Beach, CA
North Coastal Art Gallery, Carlsbad, CA
Parker Ranch Gallery, Waimea, HI
Pasadena Museum of California Art, Pasadena, CA
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, Santa Barbara, CA
Surf Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
Surf Museum, Oceanside, CA