Born Phil Barker in Dunfermline, Scotland, McLoughlin spent much of his early years in the studio of his grandfather, the artist, stage ventriloquist and conjuror - Phil McLoughlin . Here, he first realised that art could be made by anyone, anywhere, with anything. Later, he took his grandfather’s name as his artistic pseudonym in recognition of this key influence in his life.

McLoughlin  belongs to no  school or movement. Given his life story this is unsurprising.  After 40 years as an author, academic and  psychotherapist, he has few illusions about life or himself, which might explain the role of illusion and paradox in his work. What you see is never what you get. This also provides a link with his only mentor, his grandfather - 'Old Phil ' - the ventriloquist and conjuror.  Reality is always nine-tenths magic.

Once  completed, the work  becomes a 'stand alone' and needs no comment, far less interpretation from the artist. This is the  viewers' task  - to make 'meaning' of the work, framed by their own unique experience.

The McLoughlin ethic is clear:
"the artist must withdraw if the work is to be revealed