For the visual arts art form, I chose to paint a ‘pop of colour with black and white trees’ on canvas using acrylic paint. The activity addresses the outcomes VAS3.1 in which I investigated the surrounding environment in an attempt to represent the likeness of nature in the real world. It developed my appreciation of how audiences can respond, perceive artworks in varying ways and the many opinions about the value of artworks (BOSTES). My learning experience offered opportunities in which I was able to analyse and respond to artworks. Bowen, Greene & Kisida (2014) explains how visual arts is another mode of communication and meaning making. This promotes development and improvement of critical thinking skills and visual literacy. The ability to analyse and interpret artworks is not an innate skill students are born with. It is argued that students must be given many ongoing learning experiences to develop these higher order thinking skills. “To deny visual arts its place within a curriculum is denying our students the opportunity to become fully literate” (Wright, 2011).Therefore, as a future classroom teacher, I have identified the importance of students having access to quality learning experiences that will facilitate communication of reasoning, analysis, interpretation and literacies. Teachers can effectively apply knowledge of the content and develop strategies for example through enriched cross curricular activities that enhance understanding.