Blood on my Hands

"I think the point of the "blood on my hands" concept I was trying to make is getting somewhat missed. If we assume the top hand is Jesus (or whomever your god is) and the lower hands are people who have sinned, the sins of the people have caused the blood, yet the top hand still reaches out to help them...To me, my version still implies hope and help, rather than dark and evil."

The problem I have in seeing this with your vision is that the entire canvas is awash in red. Thus, the sins of the people have stained not just the world, but even the hand of a god, with blood.

This is what I see. Red is the color of blood, yes, but it is also used to depict passion. Too much passion can lead to fanaticism. Fanaticism can lead to bloodshed. Human history is replete with examples of fanaticism run amok.

If you see the upper hand as the hand of religion, rather than that of a god, it makes sense that the entire canvas is red. All parties are guilty. The only bit of hope that I see in this picture is in the form of a warning, which if followed, allows for hope - Be very careful in becoming so involved in the proliferance of your religion that you forget its peaceful precepts.

Kim- I'm joining the conversation a little late, but here's what I see.

First I think it's the shine or "wetness" along with the blood red color & title of course, that makes one think of "blood" in this image.

The color red has many implications. The color Red symbolizes so many different things, such as Love (hearts & valentines), Beauty (red roses), Courage (Red Badge of Courage)& Passion (Red Hot) So, with these multiple connotations associated with the color "Red", if not for your title I might have interpreted the image differently.

Your choice of composition & treatment of the image is really interesting, but I think the content, the upper hand and it's gentle expression (not one of obvious anger or hatred) and the hands below reaching up, also not in anguish or dispair, that make this a kinder & gentler image. Interestingly in contrast with the title. I like!