Jacksonville, Florida
 

 
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What is Arte – Mecco?

Arte – Mecco is the art form of blending contemporary modern abstract and arte-deco/arte nouveau.
Arte – Mecco painting was discovered by the American Artist & Colorist
Hugeaux (b. 1961) in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana in the year 1991. 

This style first took on the name: Hugeaux’s Women, until the turn of the millennium 2000, when it became apparent that this was a natural style of painting.  The classical danse form known as Modern Danse inspired the style of Arte-Mecco painting.  The form of the line, geometric shapes and colors gives the fluid movement of the human form in motion on paper.  The style of Arte – Mecco uses watercolors.  In my experimenting with colors, I have turned to using natural juices, as aloe and flower petals in the ever-longing quest to find new and inventive resources.  I have discovered colors from the pomegranate fruit, the cactus apple, the mulberry and the four-o-clocker flower, which make the Arte – Mecco painting carry a more environmental beauty. 

Inscription 1991

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For more than ten years the women has endured as a continuing inspiration for Hugeaux.  From the full formed torsos with their distinctive curves of flirtation or seductiveness to the lithe supple interlock of dignified femininity, the grace of these women continue to be represented in this collection.
When Hugeaux joined his inspiration, from around the world, be brought a breathtaking series of innovation to the world of the woman and men.  Among his inspiration was the use of various shades of color.  He saw that strength; delicate sparkle and soft expression made it a unique effective setting for elegance, whether rendered in a dramatic beauty for a princess or in a delicate strong attractiveness for an emperor.  Hugeaux’s devotion to the beauty and subtle fire of the Afro-American woman continues to inspire today's collections.
When Hugeaux created his first ARTE MECCO painting, not one but two Hugeaux traditions were born -- that of strength in beauty and of the combination of antiquity.  The sophisticated modernism of ARTE MECCO and the richness of precious spirit continue with jeweled versions of Hugeaux’s most celebrated ARTE MECCO  paintings.  There is nothing so precious as lifting the spirit, love, wishes and congratulations of the strength of beauty.


2003

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Arte- Mecco is during this season heavily influenced by the Mongolian culture.  The working with bamboo.  There is more emphasis placed on shapes and thickness of lines.  I feel the pull of cross-pollination of Egyptian to Chinese, of antiquity.  The modern contemporary approach must be used to divide the image into halves.  The hieroglyphs (patterning) are important in bringing depth into the image.  The female form is now customary in Arte-Mecco as colors are being blended to create skin tones (blue, orange and cactus apple dye).  The cactus apple dye is very sensitive to light, though when full dried have a deep bronze color.  Arte-Mecco has always had the imagery of appearing very effeminate from afar.  Arte-Mecco is very masculine when seeing up close.  The ying-yang affect.
 

Over the next decade, I shall experiment and perfect more with the new from:
Arte – Mecco, as it is natural art style for me.

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Information:

ARTIST: Hugeaux Vitae

Born Hugo Rainer Miller on October 09, 1961.   Named after French author Victor Hugo and Prince of Monaco Prince Ranier, though spelled "Rainer", Hugeaux was born and raised via Jacksonville/Miami in Florida.  Hugeaux was raised on all that is Southern, especially the upbringing of a Catholic mother.  His  school teacher mother, instill in him the richness of his African, Cherokee and Jewish heritage.  His mother helped him to express the joys of creating beautiful women.  His father, a baseball player for Florida A&M University, died in 1963 when he was only 2 years old.  His life in the South have developed into the need to explore many corners of the world and languages.  His first public showing was in 1985 at the Rittenhouse Square Art Fair in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Living, twice at 52 Rue Sedaine 75011 Paris, France, Hugeaux began to extend his talents for his appreciation to freely use color.
It wasn’t until Indianapolis, Indiana that Hugeaux watercolor style of ARTE MECCO was born.  Celebrating the elegance of La Femme de Noire (The Black woman).  Celebrating the African American contribution to the Fine Arts, through the Humanities.

Footnote:
(1) Title: Papillona, (2) Title: Eza, (3) Title: Polynesia peering into the Ribault River.
(4) Title: Esmerelda.

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