Knowing he had limited time left, artist Steve O’Loughlin wanted to cement his legacy by completing the masterwork that he had painted in phases over the years at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Westchester.
Based on his Celtic-inspired designs, artisans that the cancer-stricken O’Loughlin had commissioned in his final days went to work on church’s altar. They created a starry sky to unite the two elements he had done years earlier: One, an inner mural with an elaborate Tree of Life and when doors are opened, rays of light emanating from Christ on the cross. The other, an outer mural portraying angels standing beside columns as sea gulls flutter overhead.
With the addition, O’Loughlin’s triptych was complete.
“It was his masterpiece, his Michelangelo moment,” said Lynda Modaff, O’Loughlin’s widow who had been at his side for 31 years.
O’Loughlin wasn’t done at Holy Nativity. On the facade of the traditional, postwar-design church, he added two flourishes. One was having the capitals of the columns decorated with an Egyptian-style design. The other was having an inscription stenciled to the frieze. It reads “Inclusion – Hope – Love – Faith- Understanding.”
They are words that describe how Holy Nativity wants to be known. The inscription looms above the church’s community playground — a popular daily gathering place for children, parents and nannies — and may well encourage curious passersby to drop in and take a deeper look at O’Loughlin’s creations and the church itself.
O’Loughlin, wheelchair-bound and in the latter throes of colon cancer, was able to visit the site one last time before he died May 19 at age 67 as the final touches to the inscription were being applied.
O’Loughlin’s work was hailed May 30 during The Celebration of a New Ministry to induct the Rev. Greg Brown as the new rector of Holy Nativity. Bishop John Harvey Taylor called it “absolutely magnificent.”
Rector Brown said the triptych is a “a beautiful piece” and the inscription outside “offers this invitation to people who might not notice us as they drive by” to stop by.
O’Loughlin already had a long history with Holy Nativity. Befriended by a previous rector, the Rev. Peter Rood, O’Loughlin had allowed some of his paintings to be displayed in the parish hall.
Before starting work on the altar, O’Loughlin was best known for a large piece in the sanctuary that hangs beside it. “Our Lady of LAX” depicts a Madonna and child with the suburb of Westchester at her feet. People — many of them modeled on real-life parishioners at the time — are depicted as being involved in community-improving activities like planting trees, caring for animals or offering blessings. Jets landing at Los Angeles International Airport fill the background.
He has other work outside as well. Those walking up to Holy Nativity front door literally walk over one of O’Loughlin work, a mural painted on the cement walkway dedicated to the memory of a parishioner.
A joyous soul, O’Loughlin was was active in an Irish band that played on many occasions at the church.
As such, O’Loughlin was triptych of sorts himself: an artist, musician and friend to many.
— A lay leader at L.A.’s St. James’ in-the-City Church, Woodyard is retired as USA Today’s Los Angeles bureau cheif.