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faith & grace

HOMELESS WOMAN, SAN FRANCISCO, FEBRUARY 2006

homeless robin from sonoma sitting in a doorway on the outskirts of hayes valley; she has two grown sons still there (one 22 and one 35). she doesn't see them much; but they speak often.

she recently got caught in the cross fire of a gang shooting. one bullet went through her arm. the other went through her groin and is lodged near her spine.

she says it's only by god's grace that she survived.

she lives on her ssi benefits; she chooses to live on the street rather than give it all over for housing.

(2/19/06)

112 Flickr comments:

jmachin says:

ufff!!

...posted 11/18/2011 11:02:42 PM

decembre says:

______ ★ Thank you too for your post in Portrait★Faces Continue... ______________

--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)

...posted 10/16/2011 10:29:11 PM

stoneth says:

Thank you. One of mine as well:)

...posted 9/30/2011 11:22:36 PM

joushlo says:

My favorite face. The eyes are handsome
Bob from design your own tattoo

...posted 9/11/2011 7:40:45 PM

ben neb says:

..................... !!! intense

...posted 1/9/2011 11:07:19 PM

BRIANOSS says:

Astonishing portrait!

...posted 11/15/2010 4:49:00 PM

stoneth says:

thanks muchly:)

...posted 11/15/2010 4:19:58 AM

Hredwith says:

strong street portraits,
the story behind those poeple should/could be recorded

...posted 11/2/2010 5:48:04 PM

aaeastes says:

those eyes are haunting. a wonderful capture and story behind it.

...posted 10/25/2010 5:44:03 PM

anjoudiscus says:

Troublant et superbe portrait !

...posted 9/15/2010 1:05:46 AM

nenkinha says:

So fabulous! Great job, lov'it.

...posted 5/21/2010 3:20:50 AM

Gary Breashears says:

That's a very stirring photograph

...posted 5/5/2010 4:48:51 AM

malexandra says:

Stunning. Simply stunning.

...posted 4/30/2010 11:51:45 AM

kk7k says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called MY FLICKR FAV's (Invite a Friends Photo), and we'd love to have this added to the group!

...posted 4/20/2010 1:24:33 AM

Carla Y. Brown says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called ALL WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL (P1/C1), and we'd love to have this added to the group!

...posted 3/25/2010 3:51:13 AM

Steffi Kuiper :) says:

It just goes to show that peace comes from within, and no one can take peace away from you.

...posted 1/31/2010 6:32:11 AM

Lars Lejring says:

Great work!

...posted 12/13/2009 9:48:57 AM

DebShiny says:

don't understand why one of her sons would not take her in. She doesn't want to part with the money for housing....well..Pops doesn't want to either. He lives here. She needs family. Guess I don't get it..

...posted 9/30/2009 2:38:19 AM

bananajode says:

Wow...what an amazing portrait and story. And yes, I agree with d0.0b — Dorothea Lange's work definitely comes to mind when viewing your photos.

EXCEPTIONAL.

...posted 9/19/2009 11:05:15 AM

IAMSAMART says:

love this series, very inspiring

...posted 8/29/2009 3:01:09 PM

pcorp2009 says:

This is amazing

...posted 6/11/2009 6:47:38 PM

d0.0b says:

your entire set on poverty is very interesting. there are some truly great portraits. some of them remind me of Dorothea Lange's work.

...posted 1/26/2009 3:41:31 AM

lightizerous says:

I'm too weak to realize how much pain in this photo !!!
I wish everyone sees this photo !
It's the best portrait I've ever seen, full of emotion.

...posted 11/5/2008 11:54:25 PM

brancusi7 says:

because you show their innate dignity it becomes, for me, a gallery of saints.

...posted 7/10/2008 8:37:30 PM

*Arango says:

i ve found your flickr today. its so beautiful serious and important work.

...posted 4/22/2008 6:26:33 AM

thedeming says:

She seems as though she's had sadness beyond tears. Her heart aches to the point of pain. She feels so alone. She's given up after fighting many rounds, battling life. For some of us are lucky others are not. But the fact is, any of us could be in her shoes. Sometimes life is tough and we're so lucky.

...posted 4/7/2008 5:57:19 AM

thedeming says:

Poor lady! Makes me angry to think no one would help her, no one would care. We walk through life not caring about the next person, maybe that should change.

...posted 4/7/2008 5:55:07 AM

SuperKarmen says:

..the life.. is so hard.

...posted 12/28/2007 8:23:48 PM

Debbie C.B.'s says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called BEST in B&W photography, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

my favorite poem RINALDO AREANAS

My Lover the Sea
I am that child with the round, dirty face
who on every corner bothers you with his
"can you spare a quarter?"
I am that child with the dirty face
no doubt unwanted
that from far away contemplates coaches
where other children
emit laughter and jump up and down considerably

I am that unlikeable child
definitely unwanted
with the round dirty face
who before the giant street lights or
under the grandames also illuminated
or in front of the little girls that seem to levitate
projects the insult of his dirty face

I am that angry and lonely child of always,
that throws you the insult of that angry child of always
and warns you:
if hypocritically you pat me on the head
I would take that opportunity to steal your wallet.

I am that child of always
before the panorama of imminent terror,
imminent leprosy, imminent fleas,
of offenses and the imminent crime.

I am that repulsive child that improvises a bed
out of an old cardboard box and waits,
certain that you will accompany me

...posted 12/5/2007 10:35:57 PM

bill4pics says:

Rivals the well known Afghan woman's picture in National Geographic! Terrific!

...posted 12/2/2007 6:47:20 AM

Athenamama says:

Your work is so reminiscent of Dorothea Lange. Had I seen this particular shot anywhere else I would have sworn it was the work of Lange.

Hardly have I ever seen such touching, dramatic work in all of my flickr experience.

What you posses is more than just "talent".

...posted 9/12/2007 8:40:21 PM

Rafael Pieroni says:

You give them back their faces that our struggling system insist to take away.

...posted 8/2/2007 4:57:08 PM

Richard R. says:

Amazing shot.

...posted 7/15/2007 12:00:37 PM

✪ patric shaw says:

this is a very beautifully human portrait well done

...posted 5/7/2007 1:34:09 AM

oOXsavedXOo says:

I've found no one on Flickr, or anywhere else online for that matter, that can capture emotion in a single glance as you do.

...posted 5/6/2007 3:51:05 AM

JakeBrewer says:

I'm at a loss.

Your work is extraordinary. In each photo I feel as though I'm looking into the soul of your subjects. That sense is perhaps best captured in this portrait.

Thank you for doing the work that you do and sharing it with the world.

...posted 1/16/2007 6:39:52 AM

johncpiercy says:

Stoneth ... all your portraits are very moving , particularly this one ,,
You can feel the hurt , through her eyes

Do you offer assistance when you see them ,, or do they ask for cash or food ?

amazing work ,,

...posted 12/26/2006 9:43:09 PM

AntonioArcos aka fotonstudio says:

your portraits are absolutely amazing, a great work full of human essences, fantastic!!

...posted 12/9/2006 3:06:29 AM

Fayyaz Ahmed says:

amazing amazing shot!! Wat a subject and wat great tones!

...posted 11/23/2006 12:20:54 PM

bike queen says:

Robin..has wonderful eyes,glimpse of light there i see...they must be blue..reminds me of Dutch 16th century paintings...long faces,typical hats for that time...looking like these sculptures of saints you see in churches...stone faces....

...posted 9/19/2006 6:15:22 PM

MarthaRiley says:

I just discovered your work. I am so glad for you and your work. Thank you for the faces and the stories.

...posted 9/15/2006 8:03:51 PM

sahst23 says:

when i was in SF a few weeks ago, i don't know why, but i thought i might see this woman. i don't know where hayes valley is located. i didn't end up seeing her but your collective poverty work really has documented this social ill (for lack of a better phrase).

oh, and excuse me if i didn't see your shot in the bravo group before. i now see that craig, btezra, had already invited you...

...posted 9/13/2006 2:06:02 AM

mandyonearth says:

Made me sad for hours, beautifull pictures.

...posted 9/12/2006 4:20:06 PM

guzzie says:

Oh yeah!

...posted 9/4/2006 1:58:31 PM

little_stitcher says:

She looks like Vanessa Redgrave-the British actress

...posted 9/3/2006 10:02:09 PM

sahst23 says:

Please add this photo to the BRAVO Group. It is fantastic!!

...posted 8/17/2006 2:39:51 AM

Solitaire Miles says:

SSI benefits are nothing to live on. Most times it's around $600 a month. Nobody lives high off the hog on disability. There are no easy free rides for these people. Some states have better social packages, some don't. It's disgusting, how America takes care of it's disabled and mentally ill. Other First World Countries with higher standards of living, (Canada, UK, Austrailia, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland), don't have so much of this. Mentally ill people get the medical and psyhciatric support they need. There's no money here in the US for them, it's all going to Iraq and big business welfare programs.

...posted 8/8/2006 3:53:05 PM

MattEdgePhoto says:

Your work has great depth. Powerful!!!

...posted 8/4/2006 2:29:05 PM

Pierre-Elie de Pibrac says:

for all your photos (homeless) i can only say: FANTASTIC , BRILLIANT, we can see your subject's soul!! how do you do it ? do you ask them ?

...posted 7/25/2006 2:33:11 PM

miquelet says:

your work is really excellent
sometimes, like in this one
it reminds me a lot
the italian neo-realism
;-)

...posted 6/26/2006 6:50:27 PM

*Irina* says:

I would die for seeing this one in colour...just because of those eyes! Such an expressive portrait!

...posted 6/6/2006 9:16:41 AM

eyewashdesign: A. Golden says:

Upon first sight in thumbnail, I thought this was that photo of the woman & her children made famous during the Great Depression.

How interesting that this tiny thumbnail evoked this particular time period? In a country where the gap between excess & poverty seems immense, many, many, many of us are only a few steps away from Robin's life. It is amazing that she says, "it's only by god's grace that she survived" the shooting! We have much to learn from this strong woman. Bravo!

...posted 5/26/2006 7:53:45 PM

Kashklick says:

I love your portraits, very real and very beautiful.

...posted 5/14/2006 9:52:36 AM

kiddharma says:

Just now stumbling onto your set; can't say much more than other have already said in praise for these potraits. This one--in fact, several of these--remind me of Edward Curtis' indian portraits; just something about the light...

...posted 5/13/2006 2:00:49 AM

Erika Lujano says:

wow! what face! it's impressive!
you have excellent portraits of urban life!

...posted 5/4/2006 3:18:44 PM

ignacio_lpm says:

Preeminent.

...posted 5/3/2006 2:02:48 PM

a+x says:

So much suffering in her eyes

...posted 4/18/2006 3:56:59 AM

scottehumphrey says:

I still find myself coming back to this shot time and again! It's truly outstanding.

...posted 4/14/2006 7:29:37 PM

Ilaria Maccari says:

This is my favourite

...posted 4/14/2006 8:25:50 AM

LOlandeseVolante says:

It is hard to pick one, but this is the most intense portrait for me. What is the color of her eyes? Do you know Tracy Chapman song "Subcity"? Do you mind if I post it?

Subcity
(From the album "CROSSROADS")

People say it doesn't exist
'Cause no one would like to admit
That there is a city underground
Where people live everyday
Off the waste and decay
Off the discards of their fellow man

Here in subcity life is hard
We can't receive any government relief
I'd like to please give Mr. President my honest regards
For disregarding me

They say there's too much crime in these city streets
My sentiments exactly
Government and big business hold the purse strings
When I worked I worked in the factories
I'm at the mercy of the world
I guess I'm lucky to be alive

They say we've fallen through the cracks
They say the system works
But we won't let it
Help
I guess they never stop to think
We might not just want handouts
But a way to make an honest living
Living this ain't living

What did I do deserve this
Had my trust in god
Worked everyday of my life
Thought I had some guarantees
That's what I thought
At least that's what I thought

Last night I had another restless sleep
Wondering what tomorrow might bring
Last night I dreamed
A cold blue light was shining down on me
I screamed myself awake
Thought I must be dying
Thought I must be dying

...posted 4/13/2006 11:21:08 PM

The Grand Duchess says:

Reminds me of a face straight out of a Bergman film...very penetrating & intense

...posted 4/10/2006 5:49:53 PM

jorgedbbt says:

Stunning photo!

...posted 4/5/2006 6:19:32 AM

Huda. says:

Amazing shot !
Just looking at her eyes you can see she's been through a lot of pain :(
~ FaV ~

...posted 4/1/2006 4:25:02 PM

Taigah says:

I was immmediately reminded of the National Geographic photo of the Afghani woman with the breathtaking eyes and expression.
I think you did something great in this photo.

...posted 3/24/2006 4:25:17 PM

chichi banana says:

this is an amazing photograph.

...posted 3/10/2006 4:11:53 AM

hyonle says:

hidden away behind those eye lies a heartfelt tale. i'm sure of it. a sad and beautiful shot.

...posted 3/9/2006 6:23:07 PM

Gale Franey says:

Very moving photo, and troubling story!

...posted 3/2/2006 7:46:29 PM

btezra says:

~your continued pursuit of honest, true, powerful, emotional street portraiture moves me, inspires me, deserves recognition...would you please add this image to the BRAVO group pool, it would be a fine addition!~

BRAVO!!!

...posted 2/27/2006 11:55:25 PM

Ravi Vora says:

fantastic values!

...posted 2/27/2006 7:08:38 PM

Unhindered by Talent says:

A spectacular portrait. The beauty and depth in her face is quite remarkable.

...posted 2/26/2006 11:18:45 PM

txiribiton says:

ok i think that i have found a mine cfull of gem portraits, nice to meet you & your photos!

...posted 2/26/2006 9:22:26 PM

dvaires says:

Sad but not exploitative. Wonderfully empathetic. Thanks.

...posted 2/26/2006 7:06:57 PM

sbaracchina says:

She reminds me of a character from an Eisenstein film. Amazing shot & set.

...posted 2/25/2006 11:07:29 AM

Susan B. says:

exceptional.
So soulful and powerful. Cuts right through the bone.

Your street portraits are superb.

...posted 2/25/2006 9:28:22 AM

stoneth says:

lauren bahia: thanx!

MaronManon: :))))

VickiVale: Appreciated!

jehwriter: :))) !

ToBNot2B: :)

BrittanyS: Thx so much!

Aralyeya: :)))!!!

eric9660773: :) :) :)

always a spring: certainly!

WAYNE HIEBERT: we can all do with more grace :))

JPuck: Indeed!

memaxmarz: danka!

sahst23: they talk; but i guess they just do their own thing... not anything i can comprehend (???!!!???!!!???!!!)

humphreyphotography: danka danka!!! :)))

roger_alcantara: yes you can... when we look :)

pierre pouliquin: Thank you!!! :)))

Claude Renault: thanks for stopping by!!! and thanks!!!

Nekominn: Coooool! :))))

molly_merrick: :))) :)

lafemmeritz: thk u :)))

surplusparts: :))

nailbender: :) !

MARIO MARCANTE: good to see you back about!!! thanks!

iderah: :)))))) !!!

solea: thankx! but just a poor copy :)

Juzzz: :))

NickDD: :) :)) :))

Evren Sahin: :) Thanks :)

n8wood: Thank You! .

brewpez: thanks!!!

Michelle Miramontes: :) I'm glad u like :) Thanks!

Fack to Bront: You're awesome... again! (Thanks!!!)

Christian Grosch: Thx!!! :)

auwa: :))))))))

alight: wow! kind! thank you much!

SeraphimC: Thk YOU!!!! :)))

@lbi: Thanks a lot! :))))

...posted 2/25/2006 8:11:09 AM

A@lbi says:

Simply amazing. What a portrait!

...posted 2/24/2006 7:16:31 PM

'SeraphimC says:

Stunning. Simply stunning work and story.
Amazing.

...posted 2/24/2006 6:04:26 PM

alight says:

there is no barrier between her eyes and her soul...
thank you, stoneth .. by your acknowledgment of her, you honor her worth..
(this image could have been photographed by Edward S. Curtis circa 1900..)

...posted 2/24/2006 9:00:28 AM

auwa says:

I'm speechless!

...posted 2/23/2006 9:12:17 PM

Christian Grosch says:

Woooooooow!!

Congratulations, nice shot, good Portrait!

...posted 2/23/2006 3:28:12 PM

Fack to Bront says:

:: applause ::

Again!

...posted 2/23/2006 6:32:14 AM

Michelle Miramontes says:

this is an amazing portrait, her expression can say so much, congratulations!

...posted 2/23/2006 4:57:29 AM

brewpez says:

Wow ! Intense. Keep up the good work !

...posted 2/22/2006 4:28:24 AM

n8wood says:

Amazing shot, nothing else to say.

...posted 2/21/2006 5:56:33 PM

Evren Sahin says:

great portrait..

...posted 2/21/2006 2:50:56 PM

NickDD says:

Stunning!

...posted 2/21/2006 10:47:51 AM

Juzzz says:

Love it!

...posted 2/21/2006 8:23:58 AM

soleá says:

this foto has a soul.. very very impressive

...posted 2/20/2006 10:18:13 PM

iderah says:

oh, I have no words. moving.

...posted 2/20/2006 9:13:00 PM

Mario Marcante says:

total strange
great shot and edition

...posted 2/20/2006 8:48:14 PM

nailbender says:

So very touching.

...posted 2/20/2006 5:39:11 PM

surplusparts says:

This is definately worth a thousand words.

...posted 2/20/2006 5:09:03 PM

lafemmeritz says:

wow, it's really touching and beautiful

...posted 2/20/2006 3:54:00 PM

Molly Merrick says:

fabulous. I love it.

...posted 2/20/2006 2:35:41 PM

Nekominn says:

You have amazing portraits, just spent last hour looking over them while I should be working.

...posted 2/20/2006 10:20:41 AM

Claude Renault says:

a moving portrait..
beautiful

...posted 2/20/2006 10:14:06 AM

pierre pouliquin says:

Very nice portrait, thanks for putting it in context. Respect! (it seems a bit ridiculous here, but: 1-2-3)

...posted 2/20/2006 8:01:07 AM

roger_alcantara says:

oh my! very powerful! you can see the story of her life in her eyes... and in the details on her face.

...posted 2/20/2006 5:04:00 AM

scottehumphrey says:

This shot is absolutely amazing. You've really outdone yourself here! kudos!!!

...posted 2/20/2006 5:03:43 AM

sahst23 says:

Chills up my spine. My God - what are her sons doing? Did you get the sense that they have tried to help her?

...posted 2/20/2006 3:54:23 AM

Memaxmarz says:

yes, her eyes are speaking volumes, excellent photograph.

...posted 2/20/2006 3:21:58 AM

JPuck says:

Very difficult to discribe this one. Her distant eyes and leathery face are indeed haunting.

...posted 2/20/2006 3:07:25 AM

WAYNE HIEBERT kingston photographer says:

A haunting photograph...If only God had a bit more grace.

...posted 2/20/2006 2:52:34 AM

always a spring says:

thank you for the story behind her eyes. 123

...posted 2/20/2006 2:08:04 AM

tchtch says:

lovely eyes

...posted 2/20/2006 1:58:50 AM

Araleya says:

Sensational

...posted 2/20/2006 1:57:44 AM

BrittanyS says:

Her eyes drew me in from the thumbnail, and keep me staring at this image even now. An amazing capture, and an amazing story.

...posted 2/20/2006 1:28:40 AM

ToBNot2B says:

sharp!

...posted 2/20/2006 1:26:05 AM

jehwriter says:

Wow. What a picture, what a statement.

...posted 2/20/2006 1:21:22 AM

VickiVale says:

Such a range of thoughts and feelings are evoked by this shot. Nicely done in B&W...perfect.

...posted 2/20/2006 1:11:17 AM

ManonManon says:

O,excellent portrait!!!:)

(1-2-3)

...posted 2/20/2006 1:09:30 AM

bahia simons-lane says:

wow. this shot really captures a human essence.

3-2-1

...posted 2/20/2006 1:07:08 AM