Out of My Mind: An Autobiography

by Kristin Nelson Tinker

A detailed look at the authors's extraordinary artwork documenting her life includes her marriage to Ricky Nelson, weddings, birthdays, the hippie dreams of the 1970s, her family history, independence, strength, and powerful emotions that are displayed throughout.

Genres: Art, Autobiography

230 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[kaotickitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kristin is a wonderful artist. I have read many tweb sites on Rick and Kristin. It is refreshing to see her perspective. Yet like all things you have to remember this is her side of the story. Just one side of it. So it helps to round out the story.

[Jinjer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like diary entries from famous celebs and their personal artwork, this is a good one.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating account of the life of Kristin Harmon, wife of Rick Nelson, told through diary entries, paintings, poetry.

[Brid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated with author's own primitive paintings. I am old enough to remember the headlines about Rick Nelson's divorce & premature death, as well as the custody fight for Sam Nelson. Reading Kris' autobiography brought me back to that time. A must-read for Nelson family fans, and for admirers of Kris & her art.

[Sandra Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book twice. It’s a diary entry with art to accompany reflections. It is a fabulous look at an iconic Hollywood family. It’s a great nostalgia read for baby boomers.

[Julie Grace Immink · Rating 5 out of 5]

dreams painted into every star

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was cleaning out my book shelves and when I pulled this book out, I had the feeling I hadn't read the whole book so I took some time out, and unbeknownst to me, I had read it before - back in 2008, but I hadn't written a review. I hadn't checked it out on Goodreads and I'm glad I didn't as I thoroughly enjoyed it the second time around. It's a quick easy read but it covers a lot of territory. How even people who live a very "comfortable life" at the beginning, can still run into all kinds of family problems that make one's life difficult. I really admire the way the writer did it 'her way" and told her story in few words but all of them important. It was full of family loyalty, but also expectations she didn't feel she could ever accomplish. Full of love but heartbreak, despair but hope, joy but sadness, all that can happen in a lifetime. But she persevered, getting through the rough times with help from family and friends, but also disappointing family and having family disappoint her. All the personal letters, poems, wise sayings, words of songs others had written, and especially her paintings, showed just how competent she was and how she tried her best to be the person she knew she could be. I was very saddened at the end of the book, when I Googled her to see what she was up to now, I discovered she died in 2018 of a heart attack at the age of 72. It just didn't seem right. But, then, life doesn't always turn out right, no matter who we are. And she accomplished a lot and at a young age. It was too bad her marriage to Ricky Nelson wasn't a happy one forever and she did have 4 beautiful children so that was a plus. Very good book.

[Sarah Rudawsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at a used bookstore after seeing it there for the second time. I was attracted to the beautiful painting on the cover sleeve and the Primitive style paintings as I flipped through. Admittedly, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book and didn't have much of an appreciation for Primitive painting before I got into it. I immediately began to relate to Kristen when I began to read, however; and the more I progressed throughout the book, the more I began to appreciate the beauty and complexity of her work. The story, which is composed mostly of journal entries and letters is so personal. Much of it is painful to read, but her honesty allows the reader to connect and gain some insight into her life. It is so refreshing to be given access to somebody else's perspective and life story. This is one of those books that I will definitely protect and return to throughout my lifetime.

[Claudia (CJ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed looking at this big book!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing woman. Self-taught artist who persevered in the face of crippling depression and mental instability. Her paintings are wonderful works of folk art.

[Joannmullis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The painting, folk art and cute.... the life, unique.
Author has a web site with more paintings.