Meet Kevin Short: Painter and Printmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin Short and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kevin, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor in my success has been focus; that, and not quitting. I have become known for painting Glare. Painting Glare became an obsession for me; I am hypnotized by the allure of glare, especially on the water. I noticed that I was not alone in my facination of the beauty of glare. I choose to determine that if focused on my love for glare, then my work would appeal to others who resonate with that same affection. I hear often that a sunset “looks like a Kevin Short Pianting” I like that. It is funny to me that it is now my brand.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
There is magnetism in looking at glare and the effects of sunlight, We all know it. My work is in pursuit of glare. There is something magical and calming in the glare. I am recording those moments, those feelings. As a career, art is a difficult one. There is a need to understand how to manage risk. Most people I meet are afraid of risk. Understanding risk in life is very important. I learned how to asess risk at a young age as a Skier, Waterman, Hot Air Balloon Pilot, and even while ranching. As a creative, hazards are fairly few; rarely is your life in danger. The tricky problem is that income for creatives can be unpredictable. and there are subsequent problems that accompany that possibility. I found that risk can be learned, and a develped skill in managing it. That is important.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

First morning,
get the day started with some breakfast bolillos and Jalapeno bread at local spot, El Molino Del Oro. Slowly find our way down to San Onofre to spend the day surfing and lounging on the beach. Then back to the house sit in the back yard and grill some food. This is when we plan the rest of the week. This area has so very much to take a big bite out of; you have to focus. Next morning dart out the door and pick up cappuchino at Kean Coffee in Newport Beach. Kean is Martin Diedrich’s current labor of love, after he sold his Diedrich’s Coffee corporation. He crafts the best cappuccino I have ever tasted. Off to hit the Getty or the Broad, and then decide if we want to get a Godmother’s sandwich at Bay Cities Deli or Pizza at Lamonica’s. Time to call one of my studio musician pals to see if he knows of any impromptu unannounce shows happening, somebody is always intown between tour dates.
Dinner before the show will be Bartz BBQ. they park their Bar B Que rig at LA Aleworks. Aleworks is the watering hole for all the SpaceX folk, and since I am from a family of rocket scientists, the SpaceX crowd seem to me like cousins. The place is hopping and happy. All the screens have live video feeds of whatever space ship Elon has sent up that week. Fun and delicious.
Next will be a slow paced day.
At the right time of the year, a really great, slow paced day is to go to our little secret snorkeling spot in Laguna, by the Montage. Relax, then go back to the studio and walk across the Creek to Docent Brewery.
The last days will be the big finish, I have access to a boat. take it out to surf the channel islands and fish for our dinner.

Our area has more to do than we have time.
Because how can you miss going to the Rose Bowl swap meet, followed by Pie and Burger?
Did I really skip Roscoe’s, or CaCao Mexicatessen? It is amazing here. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Gordon McCLelland who saw in my work cultural importance and started selling my work to very important collectors. It was this turn that opened the door to my sucess.

also the love and support and laughter of my family, the glue to everything.

Website: www.kevinshort.com

Instagram: @kevinshortstudio

Twitter: @surfglare

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KevinShortStudio

Youtube: Kevin Short Studio

Other: www.kevinashort.com

Image Credits
Images courtesy of Kevin Short Image from “in The Land of Sunshine” exhibit courtesy Patti Sano