by Joan Elena Goldberg

Surrealist painter Linser Wayne has never shied away from the extraordinary, but his latest creation might be his most intimate work yet. For the past year, Wayne has been in what he describes as "clairvoyant communication" with his dearly departed friend, Lino Arteaga. Through these conversations—sometimes fleeting, sometimes profound—Wayne set out to tell the story of Lino's life on canvas.

The result? A stunning, deeply personal painting that blurs the line between memory and mysticism. Layer by layer, symbol by symbol, Linser painstakingly pieced together a portrait not just of a man, but of a spirit. Using saturated colors, and with a stylistic nod to Marc Chagall, one of Lino's favorite painters, Wayne's new work radiates the unmistakable presence of Lino. Friends who have already glimpsed the work say the likeness is "uncannily true," both in its realism, and in its essence.

Wayne attests the process was a unique and deeply fulfilling experience. "I felt a responsibility to Lino," he explains. "Every brushstroke had to honor his story, his humor, his struggles, and his joy. I wasn't just painting for myself—I was painting with him."

After a full year of this unusual collaboration, the tribute is finally complete—and ready for the world to see. The unveiling will take place on Saturday, August 23 between 1-5pm and on Sunday, August 24 from 2-5pm, with an artist talk each day at 3pm.

Guests can look forward to more than just art. The lively Gonzalez Gonzalez Band will keep the atmosphere vibrant with live music and dancing all day, while celebrated Chef T will serve up Vietnamese delicacies available for purchase. To sweeten the deal? Free cocktails.

It's a celebration of friendship, spirit, and creativity—proof that art truly transcends time, and even death.

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Joan Elena Goldberg is an intrepid producer and curator of multimedia events, championing local artists, musicians, and chefs. She has transformed her home into a charming exhibition and performance space, where the public is invited for biannual cultural celebrations—always with free cocktails served beneath a sixty-year-old native Tepoztan tree. Having hosted dozens of creative entrepreneurs over the past decade, Joan Elena is also a seasoned visual artist and musician in her own right.

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