Simon Fieldhouse (born 25 March 1956) is an artist based in Sydney, Australia. He was educated at The University of Sydney where studied Arts and Law practicing briefly as a solicitor, ceasing in 1988.

He was co-author of Portraits on Yellow Paper with former Supreme Court of New South Wales judge Roderick Meagher. His works have been exhibited widely and his paintings used to illustrate the National Trust desk diaries “Historic Architecture of Australia” in 2002 and “Historic Architecture of Australia II” in 2004. The Chancellor’s Committee of The University of Sydney produced a collection of greeting and gift cards using some of his University paintings in 2002.

He has produced many paintings depicting historic Australian architecture with whimsical characters.

In 2006 he was commissioned by the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney to produce 35 portraits of its professors of medicine. This series follows that of Sir Lionel Lindsay, who produced professors’ portraits in 1916.

Fieldhouse also has completed a series of paintings of historic architecture of New York City.

Artist’s Statement — Simon Fieldhouse

I am an Australian artist specialising in detailed, hand-drawn architectural portraits and whimsical 3D illustrations of historic buildings. My work is grounded in traditional methods: pen and ink, watercolour, gouache, and the patient observation of real-world structures. Every drawing begins with a love of architecture — not as abstract form, but as living history — and ends with a personal, playful twist that invites closer inspection.

For over three decades, I’ve documented buildings across Sydney, Melbourne, New York, London, Vienna, and beyond, many of which are now endangered or have disappeared altogether. My drawings are not photographs. They are interpretive portraits of place — each line rendered by hand, each colour laid with intention. In a time when artificial intelligence can generate limitless “perfect” images in seconds, I believe there is enduring value in the imperfections and individuality of the artist’s hand.

Many of my architectural works include unexpected visitors: literary figures, pop culture icons, or absurdist cameos — Sherlock Holmes peering from a gallery balcony, Batman perched on a cathedral spire, or a judge walking his dog past the High Court. These details are not random. They speak to the continuity between old and new, between the serious and the ridiculous — and they reflect my belief that cities, like art, should be layered, lived-in, and full of personality.

My background in law has also shaped my artistic eye. For many years, I created portraits of legal institutions and universities, capturing the ceremonial heart of civic life. More recently, I’ve explored miniature art and 3D portraiture using emerging technologies to honour notable Australians, while still preserving the handmade spirit of my work.

This site is both an archive and an ongoing studio. You’ll find galleries by city and theme, information about commissions, and updates on current projects, including my portrait series for Macquarie University.

Whether you're here to browse, commission a piece, or revisit a familiar landmark from a new perspective, I invite you to look closely. There is always more to see.

In a world shifting toward automation and speed, I still draw — by hand, by eye, and with care. Because some things should take time.

— Simon Fieldhouse

From Wikipedia