Living Rough
It all started with the growing number of homeless encampments popping up around the Waterloo Region. I mean, how could you not notice? So, in 2023, I grabbed my sketchbook and started drawing these encampments (living rough) and sharing my experiences. Those sketches turned into a book, and the goal was simple—to raise awareness about homelessness in our community. Oh, and 50% of the book sales went directly to help the homeless. Pretty cool, right?
If you're curious, you can check out my interviews with local news about my Living Rough project by clicking here. Big thanks to CTV Kitchener for sharing the story!
This year, I wanted to take it further. I focused on the Victoria Street Encampment, created some digital illustrations, and turned them into a 2026 calendar. They're up for grabs now, and yep, 50% of the proceeds go to the homeless. Grab one if you’d like to support the cause!
Final illustration for calendar
Reference photo for this illustration was taken in October 2025. Since the opening of Making Home across the street the residents at the encampment has been reduced by half. So many of the tents and belongings have been stripped away with the provision of huge dumpsters for the filling. The ever present white security surveillance car still overseeing the few remaining inhabitants, who have expressed their opinions on makeshift billboards. And there is a white construction trailer from the developer who plans on initiating work after the December 1 deadline for invacuation.
First Aid Tent
The first aid and water tent which is in the centre of the Victoria encampment. You can see the Naxolen packs ready for use and cases of water. Going Mobile KW usually leaves lunch packs on this table, and to the right of that table extra clothing and shoes are laid out for those in need.
“Couch Surfing” Victoria Street Encampment
I’ve been wanting to get a clear shot of this side of the encampment for a long time. I took my camera with a long lens to the other side of Victoria street to capture this scene. Once I got home I carefully examined all the things you miss when just driving by. Like all the layers of tarps lain on top of each other to keep out the rain….like peeling an onion to get inside these long inhabited structures. I’ve noticed too, that there is a communal tent in the centre of the encampment where you can find first aid supplies, bottled wate/r, extra food items and on each corner of the tent posts a Naloxone kit.
Victoria Street Encampment September 10, 2025
I sat quite comfortably to urban sketch across the street where chatty workmen were busy paving at 97 Victoria. I also met a supervisor from The Working Centre from 97 Victoria. He told me that there are going to be 44 rooms at this project for homeless people. He also said there is approximately 80 residents at present in this encampment. It is very crowded.
