In a world full of mass-produced home décor, there’s something refreshingly special about finding art that actually feels alive.
Something that makes you pause, smile and feel a connection to the person who made it.
That’s exactly what you’ll find at Made With Aroha Art, the creative home of Lisa, an artist based in Wokingham who turns humble pieces of wood into breathtaking acrylic paintings filled with colour, emotion and personality.
Her work is heartfelt, vibrant and unmistakably one of a kind. If you’ve been searching for artwork that feels personal and meaningful, here are three wonderful reasons to bring a piece from Made With Aroha Art into your home.
Reason one: every piece has its own soul
Walk into any high street homeware shop and you’ll see the same printed canvases lined up in perfect rows. They’re neat and tidy, but they lack a heartbeat. Now imagine holding a smooth slice of wood in your hands, the grain twisting and swirling like nature’s own fingerprint, and discovering that it’s been transformed into a painting so alive you can almost feel it breathe. That’s the magic Lisa brings to Made With Aroha Art.
Each creation starts with a real piece of wood, carefully chosen for its shape, colour and texture. No two slices are the same, which means every painting naturally develops its own character. Lisa doesn’t try to fight the wood’s individuality. Instead, she works with it, letting the natural patterns guide her brushstrokes. The result is a piece that doesn’t just sit on your wall, but feels as though it belongs there, like it’s been waiting for you all along.
Her paintings often feature animals and flowers, subjects that perfectly match the organic feel of her materials. A fox’s eyes seem to glimmer with curiosity, a bumblebee appears caught mid-flight, or a wild rose bursts with colour so vivid you can almost smell its scent. It’s art that feels alive because it comes from the heart. Each brushstroke carries a touch of Lisa’s warmth, humour and love for nature, and that energy lingers long after the paint has dried.
Because these are original pieces created by hand, you’ll never find two the same. Owning one is a bit like adopting a tiny piece of Lisa’s imagination and giving it a forever home. The imperfections of the wood, the depth of the colours, the slight curve of a brushstroke – they all come together to create something completely unrepeatable. You’re not just buying art. You’re bringing home a soul.
Reason two: she captures the heart of your pets
For many people, pets aren’t just animals. They’re family, confidants and little bundles of joy wrapped in fur. They know when you’re happy, when you’re sad and when you’re sneaking a snack you don’t want to share. Capturing that kind of personality in a painting takes more than technical skill. It takes empathy and heart. That’s exactly what Lisa at Made With Aroha Art brings to her pet portrait commissions.
Lisa has a wonderful way of connecting with her subjects, even if she’s only seen them through a photograph. She pays attention to the little things: the mischievous tilt of an ear, the sparkle in the eyes, the way a dog’s fur seems to dance in the light. She transforms those details into a portrait that doesn’t just look like your pet, but feels like them. It’s as though she can see the story behind each pawprint.
Her commissioned pieces have become cherished keepsakes for pet owners across the UK and beyond. Whether it’s a tribute to a beloved companion who’s crossed the rainbow bridge or a celebration of a furry friend still wagging their tail at home, these portraits hold a kind of emotional magic that can’t be mass produced. They become heirlooms, full of personality and love, ready to be passed down through generations.
Lisa’s customers often share their joy on her Facebook page, where you can see the stories and smiles behind each piece. It’s impossible not to be moved by how deeply her art connects with people. Some say the eyes of their painted pets seem to follow them around the room, while others find comfort and healing in seeing their companions brought to life again through Lisa’s brush. That emotional connection is priceless, and it’s what makes her pet portraits so extraordinary.
Reason three: buying from Lisa supports real artistry and kindness
When you choose to buy from Made With Aroha Art, you’re doing more than just purchasing a painting. You’re supporting an independent artist who pours her heart into everything she creates. Lisa doesn’t have a factory, a production line or a marketing team. What she has is passion, talent and a desire to bring a bit of joy into the world, one wooden canvas at a time.
Every order is handled with personal care. From the moment you click through her Etsy shop to the day your art arrives at your door, you can feel that it’s been made by someone who genuinely cares about her customers. Lisa wraps each piece thoughtfully, making the unboxing feel like opening a gift from an old friend. There’s a touch of magic in knowing that your purchase directly supports a creative soul in Wokingham, rather than disappearing into the pocket of a giant retailer.
Supporting artists like Lisa also keeps traditional craftsmanship alive. In a world that often values convenience over creativity, buying handmade is an act of quiet rebellion. It’s a way of saying that art still matters, that human hands and hearts make a difference, and that beauty should never be rushed. Every time someone invests in one of Lisa’s paintings, they’re helping her continue to create, experiment and inspire others to value the charm of handmade art.
And let’s be honest, owning something from Made With Aroha Art is a wonderful conversation starter. Guests notice it immediately. They ask where it came from, how it was made, and what inspired it. Before long, you’re telling them all about the talented artist from Wokingham who paints animals and flowers on wood slices and somehow manages to make them feel alive. It’s art that tells a story, and who doesn’t love a good story?
A final word from the heart
In the end, art isn’t just about how something looks. It’s about how it makes you feel. Lisa’s work at Made With Aroha Art feels warm, soulful and full of life. Each painting carries a touch of her personality and a sense of love that you can’t help but feel when you see it in person. Her wooden canvases remind us that beauty often lies in imperfection, that nature is the best collaborator, and that art can bring quiet happiness to even the busiest of days.
If you’re looking for something meaningful, unique and lovingly made, take a moment to browse Lisa’s Etsy shop or visit her on Facebook. Whether you’re treating yourself or searching for a heartfelt gift, you’ll find something that feels personal, joyful and full of aroha – the Maori word for love, which perfectly sums up everything Lisa creates.
Because when art is made with aroha, it’s made with heart.