In a purely artistic sense this is 10+Excellentx2 image.

Beautiful lik U

I find it curious that you would choose to take a picture of a crucifix if you think you are an athiest. I find it more curious that you would use it as a "reverent" subject such as in this beautiful image. I think maybe you're seeking more than you're willing to admit. My God truly bless you.

Beautifully done!!

Fantastic work, Jim! Everyone is there own God:)

hehe... you may be saved yet! jk, jk... the crusifixtion has been in art ever since so why not yours, a golden work, as only you can do :]

I love your concept of the crucifixion as a symbol of all that binds us & the colour & tone positively vibrates with the energy of consciousness awakening & reaching beyond those self imposed boundaries, great image Jim ; )

The only things I find curious about atheism is that religious believers assume it indicates no esoteric belief, and then there's Christians believing they have sole 'ownership' over the crucifixion symbol, one which I find most barbaric - instead of celebrating the life Jesus gave them, they iconise his death...hmmm. Crucifixion was a standard form of execution in those days, especially for those who needed to be made an example of - Jesus was probably one of hundreds of thousands of people who died this way. That aside, great image my friend! To me it seems as if he's breaking away from the cross's bindings and reaching out for truth - which can be found everywhere, especially within ourselves. Thank you so much for creating and sharing HUGS

Probably the most uplifting and beautful crucifixion I have seen. Agree fully with your description of the inner meaning, and I love your golden interpretation, that has nothing to do with that heaviness and suffering that often is associated with this symbol. Yes, Rise is a fitting name for the feeling I get from the golden energy this emits.

(1) purly artistic: perfect (2) crucifix as symbol of self-redemption: failed - let me remark: no belief i met was that strong than that of an atheist (with all respect of course...)

wonderfull image and excellent !

Hmmm. And here's me thinking you've had a Star Wars marathon and decided to do Cloud City in the evening sun's warm glow. "Luke! I am your father!" "Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!". Luke, denying his birthright at what seems to be his death. Vader, The Father, confronting him with cold truths. I think I might be onto something here, cause The Force is the Holy Trinity that bounds the Jedi... No wonder they wanted it on the census as a legit religion.

This is just wonderful,believers or not-most excellent work**

I'm afraid I'm gonna have to make Cassie's words as mine too since I agree with her a 100%!! Nothing to add, nothing to lose!! She said it all perfectly!! And I totally love that image!

Just to clarify one thing: I am not actually adopting the crucifix as a symbol of anything here, I'm merely taking a familiar image and giving it a new slant, turning a hanging dying figure into one that's rising up, the crucifix no longer being there. I don't mean "rising up" in the context of resurrection from the dead, I'm just depicting the sense of freedom we get when we let go of unnecessary self-imposed boundaries (among them self-doubt, worry and guilt) and the emotional relief that comes from that. The "halo" is not a halo in the Christian sense but a graphic device for highlighting the head (and the brain within) for it's our own thoughts that imprison us. The lace-like threads represent the emotional shackles that bind us, those we have to cut ourselves free from in order to realise our full potential.

What a beautiful, glowing, euphoric image! This works so perfectly for your theme, Jim. I feel buoyed up and expanded in looking. Wonderful!

This one is one my favorites you really out did yourself on this nano Christ pose of the revolutionary Metalli-Sphinxes!!! Bravo , Bravo!!! :P

~~ Your Artwork Is Always a Pleasure To View And This Original Style Of Yours Deserves A Standing Ovation~Bravo Jim~

Jim I like this image you cannot help but to engage with it and take your own meaning from it. I love the mechanoid feel to it and the sense of tension and strength it has.

Considering the subject matter, people will always be keen to interpret this as they like. That's why it may be a good idea to be less ambiguous about religion ;-) Cassie said it for me, in a nutshell. Beyond that, I'm more interested in the exquisite surface of this piece, than in any idea behind it. I'd love to see your reworking of the Virgin Mary!

Atheist or not, we all face demons of one kind or another, to me this looks like a great theme of trancendance, a mixture of the machinery of society and the positive potential of man, or the reverse...

Religious or not, atheist or just trying to ignore... these figures are our cultural heritage in Western countries; we can't avoid them. And they have deep meanings to us. More we see different interpretations of these symbols, more we can see in them - and less can only certain people "own" them. This picture is so beautiful, and doesn't need any explanations because of its beauty, and its deep and touching feeling as it is. Its lines, shapes and tonal range capture the eye and soul, to make a flight to sun :-)

WOW! A feeling of rising above the ordinary to see within ... Love the clarity and detail. Excellent image!

impressive what you've turned this into dear :)