The Tamborine Mountain artist brought the green behind the Gold to the popular Channel 7 show.
Local artist Tamara Armstrong brought her bold botanicals to one team’s renovation on the latest episode of House Rules which aired on Channel 7, on Monday 13 April.
House Rules: High Stakes features a partnership with Art Lovers Australia – bringing homegrown Australian artists into the picture with a focus on original work that is selected as the centrepiece of each renovation zone. This is the second partnership between Gold Coast-based Arts Lovers Australia and a high profile national television program.
The 2020 series kicked off with all contestants renovating a Penthouse apartment of the iconic Surfer’s Paradise FOCUS high-rise.
With new hosts, Jamie Durie and Abbey Way, as well as a new judging panel and new format, the show’s eighth season is creating a huge buzz among home renovators.
“I’m drawn to painting strong women of colour and colourful women of substance set within bold botanical backgrounds, to celebrate the diverse beauty and strength of both nature and all Australian women.” says Tamara.
Her 2018 series 'Women of Colour' was the perfect representation of this style and voice, spotlighting a dozen fierce female Australian artists, musicians, writers, dancers and social advocates, and bringing Tamara's work to the notice of a wider audience.
This is now the second time the artist's work has been selected by contestants on the 7 network’s House Rules. In 2016, one of Tamara’s original paintings was purchased for display. This year, two artworks – ‘Zimi Paradise’ and ‘Fiercely Luxe’ – featured on this week’s episode, as part of the Miami themed Penthouse renovation by Queensland contestants Tamara and Rhys.
On the episode, the judges really liked the two works of Tamara's, with prominent judge and Designer Kylie Clarke remarking “It’s beautiful”.
"That was really great," Tamara tells us. "It’s nerve wracking waiting to see how the work is used and what judges on national TV will say about your work! I’d been waiting since November last year when they shot the show at Surfer’s Paradise to see how my work would be used.
"Many people have recognised my work from the show which makes me really proud to know my work is distinct and eye catching! Many new admirers have mentioned loving the strength and power of the female subjects in my work, which is exactly what I wanted to capture in that entire series."
“Living and working from the natural surrounds here at Tamborine Mountain over the past eleven years has influenced my own sense of self and has inspired my use of bold botanical subjects. I often plan the portraits of my chosen subjects here at the local Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens,” continues Tamara.
“To see two of my most popular works featured so prominently in this renovation, in front of a national audience, is something that most painters only dream of. It’s a huge opportunity and I’m very grateful to Art Lovers Australia for making it possible.”
The rest of the reveal episode on Monday night was a nail biter, with QLD team Rhys and Tamara just making it through by a few points.
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You can purchase Tamara's works directly, or find out about her workshops over at tamaraarmstrong.com.