Painting Hanging in Laguna Beach for 50 Years Finds Its Way Home to Connecticut with the Help of Patch

Michael Boucher was scheduled to give a talk about his great-grandfather, Lars Thorsen, to a historical society in Groton, Connecticut, where Boucher lived. The group was interested in Thorsen's life because he was a Connecticut sailor and nautical painter. When Googling his great-grandfather for information, Boucher was thrilled to see a photograph of one of Thorsen's paintings appear on his computer screen.

"When the Laguna Beach Patch article came up ..." Boucher said, "the ART part caught my eye ... and then, EUREKA! ... a story mentioning artwork by Lars Thorsen."

Boucher contacted Laguna Beach Patch to find out how to get ahold of the painting's owners, Laguna Beach residents Wendy Potter and her mother, Barbara Painter. Boucher called Potter and Painter and let them know he wanted to buy the painting. Potter and Painter wanted to sell it. An agreement was made on the price.

Boucher's daughter, photographer and artist Heather Boucher, lives in Irvine. Last Friday, Heather Boucher went to the Laguna Beach home of Potter and Painter to purchase her great-great-grandfather's work of art.

"I feel like Lars has lead me to his artwork, and it was meant to return to the family where it will be a treasured heirloom," said Boucher.

Laguna Beach Patch was there on Friday to capture the meeting in words and photographs.