4 O’clock Tea – Nanny and Great Aunt Susie, with their hair wound in long thick braids, sit drinking their daily afternoon tea.  As Rosemary remembers, they were fond of good strong black tea, but never Lipton, since it was an English tea.  In the background are flowers from Nanny’s garden and an economical wallpaper with giant leaves, which had been purchased by Catherine.  On the table is Irish soda bread and the ever-present little cow creamer.  The border contains images symbolic of Ireland, a white horse, Celtic cross, harp, a potato plant, gold and silver artifacts found in the bogs and barbed wire for Northern Ireland.

Susie McGlade Discovers Amerikay – To the Irish immigrants arriving at the turn of the century, America was known at Amerikay.  In this fanciful depiction of the arrival of Great Aunt Susie, the shores of Ireland are visible in the upper right, selkies frolic in the ocean and shamrocks fall from her embroidered bag.

Widows’ Industry, 1943 – From time to time, during the many long years he was away at war, John McLoughlin occasionally sent home small gifts for the family.  One of which were small dolls created by widow’s in India.  In the foreground of the painting are medals earned for service.

The Mermaids Wait – During the war, John McLoughlin served in the Coast Guard.  A certificate he received, for crossing the equator, was the original source of inspiration for this painting.  On the certificate, were pictures of mermaids. In Rosemary’s fanciful imagination, after her father passed, she thought perhaps the mermaids missed him. …and had been waiting for him to return to them.  The photo shows baby Rosie with her father, while the mermaid patiently awaits his return.

Mom’s Dreams – While reading a book about myths and legends, Rosemary came across a myth about a goddess of the moon who was known to sprinkle roses in the dreams of women. In this imaginary version, the goddess sprinkles roses on a sleeping Catherine McLoughlin, surrounded by objects of significance in her life, roller skates, rag rug, radio, movie ticket office, and Coney Island.

Ice Cream and Alex Haley – After the war, John McLoughlin was stationed on Pier 9 in New York City, with a young Alex Haley.  Based on the best recollections of her younger self, Rosemary remembers her father talking often about his friend who, at the time may have been studying journalism and writing for the Coast Guard Newspaper. Based on what she remembers from conversations with her father, A.H. was also a head chef in the mess hall although, he spent every spare moment in his bunk writing.  One clear memory from her younger days is hanging out visiting her father and being told to, “Go down to the mess and see if Haley has any ice cream for you.”  Images of Africa and the ocean frame the painting.  A young John McLoughlin is seen on the left side of painting with a parrot perched, on his shoulder. In the center, Rosemary eats ice cream and converses with Alex Haley while Kunta Kintay observes.  At the bottom of painting is a quote from the well-known author’s book.

Dad Skates Mom Home – The first time a very young John McLoughlin skated up to Catherine and asked her to skate with him, she said, “No”.  Undaunted, he circled back around and asked again.  This time, at the urging of her girlfriends, who all thought he was really cute, she accepted.  Located on the left side in the foreground, is Coney Island.  Gerritsen Beach is shown in the lower right.  In the background is Manhattan.  Above the two skaters are roller skating angels and the gates of the Paradise Roller Rink.

Goodbye Pleiades, Hello Coney Island – The inspiration for this painting was the truly unique spirit of Catherine McLoughlin.  In this fantasy journey through the stars, Catherine is bringing Rosemary’s soul, from the Pleiades to Coney Island.

In My Father’s Garden There Are Magical Tomatoes – After John McLoughlin came home from the war, he began collecting plants and putting them in the yard.  When tomato plants started growing at the dump, they used brother John and Bill’s wagon to haul the tomatoes back and plant them.  Every year afterward, tomatoes were always part of the garden.  …along with lilies discarded by the church and 4 o’clock seeds carried in by the wind and hyacinths donated by a neighbor.  There were always new additions to the garden, each one arriving through various mundane or mysterious ways.

First Communion – The painting is based on their first communion photographs.  Around Catherine’s photo is a rosary with blue beads, her miraculous metal, a favorite Birmingham silver bracelet and roses.  John is surrounded by his metals, Boatswain’s pipe and of course his famous tomatoes.

Angel in the Garden – Aunt Nonnie was Catherine McLoughlin’s youngest sister.  She entered the convent when Rosemary was born and was her Godmother.  Nonnie (Sister Brendon) became a much loved and respected teacher, administrator, and Mother Superior.  She loved music and was known to be quite “light on her feet” excelling in both Irish and ballroom dancing.  Later in life, she suffered from Alzheimer’s and eventually became almost childlike.  In the last summer of her life, she and Rosemary spent every day together at the Motherhouse, often sitting on a bench by a small fishpond.