About
The Color Wheel
The Color Wheel is a bright, open, warm and inviting studio founded in 2024 by our owners Summer Quinones and Maria Gauthier in Houston, Tx.
Our Mission
Our mission at The Color Wheel is to inspire creativity and foster artistic expression in a supportive, fun, and inclusive environment. The Color Wheel provides a space where artists of all ages and skill levels can explore their talents, learn new skills, and connect with their community/friends.
The Color Wheel is a place that strives to ignites a spark of love for the arts, creative thinking, and encourages participants to pursue their artistic journey.
It is our commitment at The Color Wheel to nurture each individual's unique vision by:
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Inspiring creative artistic expression within our community space.
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Providing a nurturing and inclusive environment for individuals of all ages and skill levels to explore different art projects.
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Create engaging workshops & encourage personal growth for each artist.
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Build meaningful connections with clients in our community and beyond.
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Make art accessible, enjoyable, and allow each student to discover their own unique artistic voice.
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Collaborative Projects with other artists who have similar skills and/or passions.
Meet the Owners
Summer Quinones
@artwithmrsq
As a teacher...
Summer Quinones is a graduate of the University of Houston in 2019 with a BA in Art and a Minor in Education, with a particular passion for printmaking. This led her to start her teaching career at Houston ISD that same year. It was a wonderful beginning, and she was honored to be nominated for Rookie Teacher of the Year for HISD for the 2019-2020 school year. For the past five years, she's had the incredible opportunity to teach art to children, an experience that has deepened her love for nurturing creativity. However, her journey has recently taken a new turn as she transitioned from the classroom to her own art studio. Now she can fully immerse herself in her own art while continuing to inspire others through her work.
While teaching art to young minds was profoundly rewarding, her mission has always been to provide students with a foundation to build their creativity and develop their skills. At The Color Wheel, she will strive to continue this mission by creating pieces that inspire and by sharing the joy of art in new and exciting ways.
As an artist...
From a young age, art has been a profound source of joy and fascination for Summer. Her early obsession with crafting and all things creative was inspired by her own elementary art teacher, whose passion and talent made a lasting impression on her. As she grew older, her love for art evolved and deepened through exploration of various mediums. This journey led her to her first printmaking class in college, where she discovered a true calling. Her work is characterized by a vibrant use of color, reflecting her enthusiasm for bright, dynamic palettes. She draws inspiration from the world around her, particularly from the art museums and diverse cultures she encounters during her travels. Each experience and observation feeds into her creative process, allowing her to weave together elements of her adventures into visually compelling narratives.
Art is not just a passion for her; it's a way of connecting with the world and expressing her experiences. Through her work, she aims to convey the beauty and energy she finds in everyday moments, inviting viewers to see the world through her eyes and to find their own spark of inspiration.
Maria Gauthier
As a teacher...
Maria Gauthier, a former elementary teacher and passionate artist, blends her artistic talents with a dedication to education. With over ten years of experience as an elementary and preschool educator, she seamlessly integrated hands-on, creative lessons into her classroom. Maria believes that relationships are at the heart of effective teaching and advocates for learning through play, making education both fun and practical. Her commitment to fostering a positive learning environment earned her the Teacher of the Year award in 2024. In her art workshops, Maria's wealth of knowledge and supportive attitude guide students on their unique artistic journeys, helping them explore creativity, build self-expression, and discover the joy of making art.
As an artist...
From a young age, Maria has been captivated by the power of art to express emotions, tell stories, and connect with people. Her journey began with collage and evolved into painting, where she explored the vibrant world of colors and textures using mediums like acrylic and watercolor, creating pieces that range from realistic to abstract. Jewelry design is another significant facet of Maria's artistry, where she delights in crafting unique, wearable pieces that blend traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics, characterized by attention to detail, innovative use of materials, and a blend of elegance and creativity.