Philip Sugden studied art in Paris under French painter, Arnaud D'Hauterives. After graduating from the New York School of Visual Arts and the Paris American Academie des Beaux Arts in Paris, he made twelve journeys throughout the Himalaya and Tibet, including the Kingdom of Mustang and Ladakh. In May 2007, he and writer, Carole Elchert were married by Lama Nawang Tenzin at Tengboche Monastery near Mt. Everest.