Born in London to American parents, Phillips grew up in England and attended the University of Boulder in Colorado. He took a foundation course at the Slade School of Fine Art, and studied at the Royal Drawing School.
Mostly painting in oils and occasionally acrylics, he works on hemp, linen, canvas and aluminium panel. He also sculpts in clay, wood and welds metal.
His work has been shown across the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and in New York City and Connecticut. His work has been exhibited by The Society of Portrait Sculptors and the Lynn Painter-Stainers. Phillips' work is held in public and private collections in the UK, the Americas, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Europe.