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Calling all Picassos and Michaelangelos to sharpen their pencils and gather their paint and brushes, as we begin our new creative journey at Saint Joseph School for the  2020-2021 school year. I am looking forward to sharing your creativity with me, as you create your artistic masterpieces and try to achieve your next level of Art , by practicing and improving your creativeness throughout the school year.

To begin the artistic year, students in Grades PK3/PK4 will learn how beautiful art can be created from recycled objects. Their first project will be based on using  basic concepts as they create seasonal Frankensteins, witches or owls from recycled items. They will be introduced to proper painting skills and shown how to paint in one direction. All other classes will learn the skills of drawing that is the basis for all types of mediums whether it be pastels or painting. All students will learn how to create their drawing step by step, by using simple shapes to create their image. Art is a creative process that is developed over time and requries dedication and patience in order to achieve and go beyond your desired artistic level. 
The projects are as follows:
K3/K4- Recycled Frankensteins, Witches, or Owls
K- Pumpkin Renderings
Grade 1 - Sunflower Medley in the Style of Georgia O'Keeffe
Grade 2- Scarecrows in the Field
Grade 3- Sunflower Still Life with Van Gogh's Influence 
Grade 4- Mallards Against the Autumn Sunset 
Grade 5- Garfield Halloween Cartoon 
Grade 6- Bountiful Baskets of Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables 
Grade 7- Dimensional Still Life 
Grade 8- Autumnal Country Landscape


   


  

September 20,2020- The artists at St. Joseph are still working on the above creative projects. During this month, the children in PK are learning how to paint and are working on improving their painting skills with their Frankenstein project made of recyclables. He is just ever so adorable!!!!Grade K is continuing on working on their personalized letter pumpkins and have learned how to free-hand draw, by using shapes as the basis of drawing. We have already outlined in black Sharpie Marker and many have learn how to blend colors and are starting to color in their pumpkin. Grade 1 is still learning about artist Georgia O"Keeffe and her oversized style . Students have been creating an oversized flower that runs right off the paper, so sometimes you may only create a part of the sunflower. Grade 2 is creating a fall landscape with a scarecrow, where they already have drawn in their scarecrow and beginning to color it in. They are learning how to correctly draw a scarecrow that is symmetrical. Once they create their scarecrow correctly,then  you will see how one does not look like another and how adorable they are.Many students will begin to outline in black Sharpie this week and learn how to blend colors before they start coloring in their own picture.Next week ,we will begin creating a background.Grade 3 has been learning how to create a mallard duck and how to make the water look like it is moving, by using repetition with linework. Most have completed their drawing and are coloring in their picture. Next week, we will discuss what a harvest sky looks like and will use autumnal colors to create it to make the picture have a true feeling of autumn. Grade 4 is being challenged to create a floral still life in a metal watering can. Through this process, they are trying to make things symmetrical. Once they have a good drawing of a sunflower, then it will be easier for them to draw the others. Next week we will begin outlining in black Sharpie marker and discuss blending of colors,creating a background,adding seasonal fruit and learning how to create a monarch butterfly ,that will all be incorporated into their picture. Grade 5 has been learning how to create a seasonal apple hanging on a branch and have been learning about shading and what a highlight is.They have also experienced the technique of blending colors. I have decided to jazz up their picture by adding a stained glass sky in order to make their picture pop!! Grade 6 is continuing on with their fall landscape that includes a wooden cart,bushels of fruits and vegetables and many other items that make up a fall harvest. Students are adding a sunset and patterned mountains to make their picture more interesting! Some have already outlined and are starting to color in. Grade 7 is continuing to learn how to shade with a pencil. Since there is no color ,the pencil pressure is what determines the strength of the shading...a skill that just needs to be practiced.They are also adding a checkered floor that adds to the style of their picture.Grade 8 continues to work on their nostalgic harvest scene that is added to everytime we meet for art. Most have one half of the nostalgic red truck drawn along with the bushels of fruits and pumpkins. It's a step by step process that requires skill and determination. Aside from that, they are also creating ideas for a school mural.Overall, all the projects in all the grades are being beautifully and successfully created. I admire their dedication in developing their art skills that will allow them to achieve their next level of art. I am truly blessed to have them as my students!


October 30,2020-  Some classes are finishing up on their harvest projects ,while others are being introduced to their Thanksgiving projects. All classes that created Halloween projects,have their projects hung in the hallways  of St Joseph and are on Facebook..please take a look and see the children's creativity!!! The projects that some classes are continuing on or the new harvest projects are as follows....

Grade PK...  Tom the Turkey
Grade K....... Turkey Blessings
Grade  1.......Pilgrim and Indian Buddies
Grade 2........Scarecrow Landscapes
Grade 3........Festive Fall Farm Landscapes
Grade 4........Sunflower Backgrounds
Grade 5........Medley of Fall's Treasures
Grade 6.......Bountiful Baskets Backgrounds
Grade 7....... Color Form Drawings
Grade 8....... Nostalgic Truck Backgrounds / Graduation Logos

I am very pleased and proud of what the students have created during the early weeks of art. It is important that they know and remember that skills are important and not speed. If they learn this in their younger years, they will only get better and better as they advance to the next grade. Please encourage your child to draw...remember, practice makes perfect.!!! Best wishes for a bountiful Thanksgiving!


November 30,2020- With the start of Advent this past weekend, the artists of St Joseph have started their creativity for Christmas. The projects are as follows....
PK3/4,,,,,,,Advent Wreathes
Grade K....Gingerbread Buddies
Grade 1.....Happy Birthday Jesus Cupcake
Grade 2.....Jesus is the Reason
Grade 3......The Grinch
Grade 4......Jesus is Born
Grade 5-8.... Religious Drawings of the Birth of Jesus and 2020 Christmas Ornament 

The art skills of our students have improved thru the past months ,showing us that practice makes perfect!!!We look forward to the new year where we all can continue to fine tune our skills and accomplish creativeness that we never knew we had. May you all have a blessed Christmastime season!

January 5,2021- With the start of 2021, the artists of St Joseph are creating the following projects in January ,with a lot of zest and enthusiasm...
PK 3/4.....Wintertime Mittens
Grade K....Valentine Snowflakes
Grade1......Geometric Snowmen and Snowladies
Grade 2.....Olaf Cartooning
Grade 3......Wintertime Trees
Grade 4......Wintertime and Valentine Snowglobes
Grade 5......View Thru the Window
Grade 6......Cardinals Perched on a Snow Covered Branch
Grade 7.....Wintertime Animal Landscape
Grade 8..... Logos/ Lighthouse in the Snow
 
Aside from this, many students are creating for the Christmas card contest for the Basilica in Washington,D.C. for Christmas of 2021. They will choose one of the categories discussed in class and create an image for a chance to be chosen for the Basilica's Christmas card for 2021. Everyone who enters,has a chance to win....so let your creative mind begin to create a winning image!

February 22,2021- Soon we will begin to focus on projects related to springtime landscapes,spring flowers and springtime animals. Many of the older children in middle school, will be experimenting in pastels and watercolors. Please have the supplies your grade was asked to buy....you don"t want to be left out of the fun!  I look forward to all of your creativity in the months ahead as we venture new avenues with new medium.

April 13,2021- We are continuing on with our springtime projects, as we return from our springtime break.PK3/4 will be creating a ladybug based on simple geometric shapes and will see how just two colors can make this bug look ever so adorable!  Kindergarten will be creating a frog, that will tie in with what they are learning about in the classroom. Grade 1 will  be learning how to create a butterfly that is symmetrical and this also ties in with what they are learning in their classroom. They will also be learning about patterning. Grade 2 is learning about symmetry in art and how folding a piece of paper in half can help you when creating a symmetrical object, as they create their bumblebee. Grade 3 is continuing on with their journey of creating spring trees from pastels and watercolors. Grades 4 and 5 are continuing on mastering a winning idea for a recycling contest sponsered by Middlesex County Department of Public Safety and Health. The theme is "Choose to Reuse".
                        Our 6th and 7th grade artists will be working on word expressions, so they can utilize experimentation with pastels and watercolors on their background, for their chosen word. When they choose a word, they will create a lettering style that fits their word's mood and use a technique and colors that express that word.This project will give them a lot of opportunity to dibble and dabble with oil pastels and watercolors! Eighth grade is continuing their adventure in pastels and watercolors with their silhouette project, against a colorful background,gving them a lot of opportunity to explore with their chosen medium!
                      Please check my teacher page for an update on all new contests and an update on winners.
                    



 

 We have been very blessed with many winners in several local, county, state, and national art contests thru the years. Our first for the year will be the Carteret Knights of Columbus "Keep Christ in Christmas", where the children are asked to create a poster based on the meaning of that theme. The second contest that Grade 4 will be involved in will be the 4th Grade Folder Contest with the theme of "Fun Things To Do Instead of Drugs". I hope you are as excited as I am to get the creative year started ....... so..........  let the creativitiy begin!!!!!

 

September 22,2020 - The entire school is working on the "Keep Christ in Christmas"art contest and already we have some students that have created their sketch and are working on their final piece....what beautiful images they are creating. If you have not submitted your sketch to me ...please  show me. Remember...you need to be in it to win it!!!! Also grade 4 is working on their first ideas for "The Fun Things To Do Instead of Drugs" 4th grade folder contest. Once their sketch is approved they will be able to create the final drawing. Again.. if you have that first sketch,please show it to me!


October 5,2020 -Students are reminded to create an idea, for the "Keep Christ in Christmas " art contest ,of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus and to please show me your idea! Some children are already creating their final piece to be submitted for the contest!
                            Also, Grade 4 should be showing Ms. Yuschik ideas for the "Fun Things to Do Instead of Drugs "contest, so you can start on the final drawing to be submitted. Remember,you have to be in it to win it!!!

October 26,2020- We are continuing to work on the two art contests, "Fun Things to Do Instead of Drugs" and "Keep Christ in Christmas" and have made some progress. A few of the Christmas religious art posters have been handed in and are completely done and I am looking forward to more students to follow thru. We are planning to spend some time in the art classroom creating these two posters. Please remember ,if you have not submitted your idea to me,please do!

November 22,2020- Both the "Fun Things to Do Instead of Drugs" and "The Keep Christ in Christmas"contests will soon be picked up for judging.If you are still creating,please hurry so you can be included. Grades 3-5 will be participating in an art contest about drug prevention sponsered by the Carteret Elks "Drug Abuse,No Excuse" is their theme. Please show Ms Yuschik your sketches ,so I can approve them before you create the final draft for this contest. We have had many winners in the past, and I hope to continue to have winners this year as well. Give some thought to the theme and please show me your creation ,so I can move you on to the next step!.
  
January 4,2021-Creations for the "Keep Christ in Christmas Contest", sponsered by the Knights of Columbus of Carteret- Council 1280 and " Drug Abuse-No Excuse" sponsered by the Carteret Elks # 2235, were both picked up on December 23,2020. We are looking forward to seeing whose artistic creations will be chosen, after catching the eyes of the judges, for creativity as well as expressing the theme. I will keep you posted on the winners of these two art contests! We are also beginning to create for the Christmas card contest for the Basilica in Washington, D.C. for Christmas 2021. Students can choose one of the themes...The Nativity, Mother and Child, Shepherds in the Field, Three Kings following the star or Angel Gabriel and create a drawing based on their chosen theme.Everyone has a chance to win, so let us all get started in creating a winning piece!
       

February 10,2021- The winners of "The Keep Christ in Christmas Contest " were announced virtually at the Catholic Schools Week mass last Friday. These students' artwork will be submitted for competition at the district level. Please check the school website for our winners.
We are still waiting to hear from the "Fourth Grade Folder Contest", Elk's Drug Contest and the Christmas Card Contest for 2021.

April 12,2021-On May 12, 2021, Christian Laroche ,will be recognized for being chosen a finalist in the Fourth Grade Folder Contest. Christian's anti- drug ,artistic drawing was chosen from  many other entries from schools throughout New Jersey. I look forward to sharing this virtual recognition of his artistic accomplishment with him in May. I am truly proud of his pereverance and dedication in creating a winning poster. Congratulations Christian!
                            Also ,we have just submitted our entries for "The Respect for Life  Contest"  that is centered around this year's theme of honoring St Joseph. There were many excellent ideas ... Joseph as a spouse,family man and a craftsman. We are looking forward to hearing the results of this contest shortly!

 

This year students will be responsible for their own supplies in Art and will not be able to share art supplies with their classmates. To be prepared to start off the school year, students will need to have the following supplies in a separate art supply box:
Pencils 
Erasers
Scissors
Glue Stick 
Elmer's Liquid Glue
Black Fine Point Sharpie
Crayons 
Colored Markers 
Color Pencils 
1 Pad of Construction Paper
1 Pad of Drawing Paper 
Students in Grade 3 to 8 will need all the above listed and :
1 Set of Watercolors with a Brush and a Cup 
1 Watercolor paper pad
1set of Oil Pastels 

Please make sure to label all their supplies.  Updates will follow if and when other supplies are needed for the students' creative process in the months ahead. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.


September 22, 2020 - This is a reminder that all students need to purchase the above art supplies, in order that we can use these materials throughout the year and experience using different mediums on the art masterpieces they will create.Please follow all the above instructions. Thank you for your cooperation!


October 5,2020- This is a reminder to make sure students have the needed supplies that are on my website for their art classes. It is difficult to create the art projects without the requested art supplies. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

October 26,2020- If you have still not bought your art supplies for class ,please follow-up and do so. As the months proceed ,I would like to use different mediums on the future art projects, so children can have the experience of using different materials. The list is on my website.Thank you for understanding.

November 24,2020- I have noticed that some students still do not have the needed art supplies for my classes. Please address my list on my website ,so your child will have the chance to experience different mediums during the months ahead. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

January 4,2021- Please refreshen your art supplies . As the new year begins, please check what supplies need to be replenished. There are still students who have not bought the necessary art supplies for the school year. Moving forward, having the necessary supplies would make the creation process much easier. We will be experiencing new mediums this new year, so it is important that the students all have what is needed. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

February 9,2021- Everyone should be continually replenishing their art supplies ,so we can continue on with the needed supplies for the rest of the year 's projects! Any classes that were requested to buy watercolor paper ,oil pastels and watercolors should have them by now!! We will be using those supplies as we move forward. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

April 12,2021-It is the perfect time to "spring clean" your supply boxes for art .Please replace any item that you have used up in the prior months. Also, please have all the art supplies that are required for your class, so we can dabble in new mediums as we start new projects in the coming weeks. Remember, being organized will make creativity easier!!