About the Artist
Pennsylvania artist Candi Haas-Simmons has gained her artistic reputation through her intimate portraits of the natural world. Focusing on the flora of the eastern woodlands and images of the natural world, Haas-Simmons has established a following among those who have a passion for the beauty and spirit of the natural world.The artist received early training as a student of Robert D. Kingsley, who was responsible for honing her skill as a draftsman. After she was graduated from Pottstown High School in 1972, she continued her education at Temple University's Tyler School of Fine Art. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts in 1976. Following her graduation, Haas-Simmons married and joined her husband as he served in the United States Navy, traveling with him to Mississippi, California and Sicily. During this time, Haas-Simmons pursued her fine arts career, teaching and commercial applications. In recognition for her graphic design skills she received the 1981 Naval Support Program's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Advertising. She also operated her own silkscreen company that specialized in original greeting cards.
In 1981, Haas-Simmons returned to her native Pennsylvania and began to concentrate on paintings of local flora. Using first watercolor, then casein (milk paint) and eventually alkyd (fast drying oil), Haas-Simmons developed her signature style of brightly-lit flowers contrasting against the intense dark of the surrounding woods. As her work has matured, she has introduced subtle touches of other natural images, often obscure and rich with symbolic meaning, in the tradition of medieval illumination. Frequently she meshes her images with shapes borrowed from the creative and spiritual works of man. Her works have brought her national, regional and local recognition and awards.
Haas-Simmons has a passion for introducing children to the world of art, creativity and nature. She offers private instruction to exceptional students as well as teaching workshops and classes in a wide variety of areas from art to fossil collecting and kite making. She frequently acts as a mentor to students who are pursuing art-related graduation projects -especially Arts Goes to School and mural projects. She has also greatly enjoyed working with students in the settings of All-District musicals -Hello Dolly, South Pacific and Guys and Dolls, when she merged set design with art lessons plans used throughout the district to involve all students in the process. She serves the Pottstown School District as a substitute teacher.
In recent years, her passion for working with children has expanded to include writing and illustrating childrens books, most notably her series focusing on the characters Boorish and Shrewina. These works combine droll illustrations with a vocabulary-rich text and a focus on a moral, in the manner of fables. The books allow the artist to merge many of her areas of interest- art, education and the creative state, in an entertaining and enjoyable format.
The artist is also noted for her volunteer work within the community. She has been an Art Goes to School volunteer since 1982. In the past, she has served diverse groups - from astronomy, art and kite clubs to business associations and the Police Athletic League, as an officer. She has served her church as a Confirmation mentor and is currently the art instructor in the youth program, where children have undertaken an ambitious series of banners and murals to decorate the sanctuary and educational wings. In 1995 the Pottstown YWCA honored her in their Tribute to Exceptional Women. This award is given to women in varied professional fields who have achieved both professional excellence and singular service to their community.
Ms. Haas-Simmons is married and the mother of two children, a dog and several fish. She and her family reside in her family's ancestral home in southeastern Pennsylvania, but spend as much time as possible traveling to their cabin in northeastern Pennsylvania. She and her family share a passion for reading, amateur astronomy, kite making and flying, fossil collecting and travel.