About

It’s funny how the mind works. If someone asked you not to think of something, your mind automatically generates the image or memory. I’ve spent the last 5 years being a student of Eastern teachings on understanding the mind and intellect. How can I really be happy or at peace with the restless mind making a mockery of everything? I’ve now come to understand that the mind is the storehouse of mystic energy, and intellect is the decision-making faculty. Both can be used as tools for navigating the game of life. One of my teachers shares that the mind passes through five major states: dull, distracted, partially gathered, or partially concentrated, one-pointed, and controlled. He would say, “To the uncontrolled mind, even the ground underneath one’s feet is a problem. I also realize that if not understood, the mind can be the driver, meanwhile, we sit in the back seat of our awareness. Being conscious to me means being aware that I am aware. That I create the reality I wish to experience. This portrait comes as a message of being the silent observer of the mind. Knowing that I have the option to be unattached and give little to no attention to the thoughts I observe if I wish. That with a distracted mind, I will achieve little in this world. The goal is to continue learning the art of removing as much negativity from thought and governing the mental moods and feelings that arise every day. When the clutter in the mind is clear, intuition starts working. That intuition is wisdom. That intuition knows everything that is right for us. A tutor who is inside. If the inner river is still and silent, then all the jewels hidden in the riverbed can be seen. When there is a wake of turbulence, then nothing is clear. People have been able perfom great deeds to hummanity and accomplish remarkable things for themselves because they were able to gather the rays of the mind and concentrate their mental strength.

The photograph “Last Thing on My Mind” by Nkosi Gomez is a tightly framed black-and-white portrait that draws the viewer into a quiet, introspective space. The subject’s face fills most of the frame, illuminated by a direct, almost stark light that casts subtle shadows across their features and the textured wall behind them.

Their expression is subdued and distant, eyes slightly lowered and unfocused, as if turned inward rather than engaging with the external world. Distinct details—short, tightly curled hair, a small nose ring, and a beauty mark above the lip—anchor the portrait in specificity, yet the emotional tone remains open-ended. There is no overt drama, only a stillness that feels suspended between thought and release.

The composition is intimate and unembellished. The background is simple, with a hint of a doorframe or decorative element to one side, offering just enough context without distracting from the subject. The lighting emphasizes texture—the curls of the hair, the smoothness of skin, the faint grain of the environment—creating a tactile presence that heightens the sense of immediacy.

Within the context of the artist’s reflection on the nature of the mind, the portrait becomes a visual meditation. The subject appears caught in a moment where thoughts are present but not fully grasped—hovering at the edge of awareness. Their gaze suggests neither engagement nor avoidance, but something closer to observation, as if witnessing the movement of thought without becoming entangled in it.

The title, “Last Thing on My Mind,” carries a quiet irony. It hints at the paradox of trying not to think, only to become aware of thought itself. The image mirrors this tension: the mind as both restless and still, active yet capable of quiet. In this way, the portrait reflects the idea of becoming the “silent observer”—a presence behind the thoughts, capable of choosing attention rather than being driven by it.

Ultimately, the photograph feels less like a depiction of a person and more like a state of being—an invitation to recognize the space between thinking and awareness, where clarity and intuition can begin to emerge.

Specifications

Artwork Size: 6 ½ x 8 ½ (16.51 x 21.59 cm)

Print Size: Signed 8×10 in (20.32 x 25.4 cm)

White Precut Mat Size: 11×14 in (27.94 x 35.56)

Textured Matte Finish. An acid-free, 100% cotton rag base with a natural textured finish. This paper has an extremely high color gamut and black density. This paper is coated with our popular Enhanced Matte coating, giving exceptional color gamut and high D-Max. The velvet surface is a favorite of photographers and artists alike, offering a unique museum-quality feel.

Frame NOT Included

This print ships within one week of the order date.