Born Phil Barker in Dunfermline, Scotland, McLoughlin spent much of his early years in his grandfather’s studio. Here he first realised that art could be made anywhere, with anything. Fifty years later he took his grandfather’s name – Phil McLoughlin – as his pseudonym: honouring this key influence in his life. McLoughlin began his career with no formal training, working in performance and conceptual art throughout the early 1960's and 70's. He exhibited in the Scottish Young Contemporaries, and Edinburgh Festival Fringe, winning the Pernod Prize in 1974.​McLouglin then moved on to a career in psychotherapy, working for 20 years with patients and as a professor; he also earned a doctorate in philosophy. When he returned to his art career after decades of this immensely rewarding work, he turned to painting instead of his previous conceptual work, using fascinating combinations of objects and imagery to provoke unique responses in each viewer. From an artistic perspective, McLoughlin belongs to no particular school or movement. He has no mentors. He owes no allegiances. After 35 years as a psychotherapist, it might also be said that he has few illusions, about life or himself. This might also explain the importance of illusion and paradox in his work, drawn from his 40+ year relationship with Zen. What you see is never what you get....