[1] McLaughlin has also produced a number of pieces for Lady Gaga's "Born This Way Ball",[2] sparking interest and recognition within the fashion community.
He attended Oak Park and River Forest High School before leaving at age 16 to join the second company of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
In 2009, McLaughlin left Hubbard Street Dance Chicago to move to New York City to pursue a career in visual art, a passion of his since childhood.
As an illustrator, McLaughlin has contributed images to television shows including HBO's Game of Thrones[13] and Showtime's Penny Dreadful.
[14] McLaughlin briefly lived in Salem, Massachusetts[15] with his partner and frequent collaborator, artist Bill Crisafi, before relocating back to Chicago.