Out of My Mind: An Autobiography [Hardcover]

Kristin Nelson Tinker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997

Born in 1945 into a Hollywood family of "competition, achievement, and celebrity, " Kristin Nelson Tinker began to paint in her distinctive American primitive style when she was in her teens. Out of My Mind brings together more than 100 of her autobiographical paintings to tell in words and images the story of her life. 171 illustrations, 136 in color.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The daughter of a celebrity family who married Ozzie and Harriet Nelson's son Ricky, Tinker began to paint in the naive style after seeing an American primitive collection in her in-laws' home. Tinker paints from memory, for commissions, and also re-creates visions of family events from recollections supplied by her relatives. This autobiography in paintings presents more than 100 works created over 35 years, combined with entries from Tinker's journals, poems, quotes, and old family photos. The paintings offer a simplistic charm while capturing a moment in time, and the emotionally linked text recalls happiness, dreams, and despair. For libraries with comprehensive art collections that include studies of naive artists or those who paint in the folk style.?Judith Yankielun Lind, Roseland Free P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

This scrapbook-cum-autobiography by Kristin Nelson Tinker is a quick trip from the 1960s to the '90s, as seen through the lens of her primitivist paintings, family photographs and snatches of text. Tinker's life is emblematic of postwar prosperity in California: her father was the all-American halfback Tom Harmon, her mother the movie actress Elyse Knox and her brother the actor Mark Harmon. -- The New York Times Book Review, Eric P. Nash

Product Details

• Hardcover: 230 pages
• Publisher: Harry N Abrams; First Edition edition (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810936917
• ISBN-13: 978-0810936911
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 11.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She has elevated her personal story to a universal level, April 17, 2005

By 

Saundra A. Johnson "Sandie Johnson" (Potomac, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Out of My Mind: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

There was a time when all of us and our mothers too were in love with Rick Nelson. But the one most in love with him was Kris Harmon, who became his wife in April 1963. She wrote a book about this life, and it is a book from which everyone can learn -- from her example, her words, and her artwork.

Rick Nelson brought rock music into the living rooms of America and made it acceptable. He was the teen idol of a generation - the Prince of Rock and Roll in the days when Elvis was the King. I am appalled that the kid at Starbuck's doesn't know who Rick Nelson is today.

Rick's fans have always criticized Kris for reasons I only partially understand. (Remember, they weren't wild about Yoko either.) For instance, Kris had a temper; Rick did not. His fans criticized her when she was with him on the road and when she was not. Kris and the kids always had to compete with the fans and his band for his attention. Rick liked being a father, but he was not home very often.

In 1981, she left the marriage and Rick reluctantly. Rick's sudden death in an airplane crash in December 1985 shocked the nation and left many people in addition to his family bereft for a long time. I attended a Tribute to him in 1993 in L.A. and was surprised at the number of people from all over the world who grieved his death as a personal loss.

In 1987, Kris was accused by her family of being an unfit mother at the time she sought treatment for pill and alcohol addiction. This is, unfortunately, a reason that keeps many women from seeking treatment when they need it. Asking for help takes courage; getting help means one will be a better mother. To be punished for it enrages me still. She discusses this time in her life without sparing the hurt.

The book has over 100 of her paintings in it and many poems. Some reviewers have called it a daybook, or journal, not a traditional autobiography. It is a memoir in the true meaning of the word -she has elevated her personal story to a more universal level.

When asked in an interview once how she feels about Rick now, she said something like, "I miss him. He was funny. We were friends and had fun. And I still miss him." After all those years of fights in court, the truth emerges.

Kris is building an extraordinary legacy. It is clear that she finds solace and salvation in her artwork and in New Mexico. She is, for the first time, being recognized as herself, not the daughter of someone famous, or the wife of someone famous, or the mother of someone famous - but for herself. And it is clear that she has learned that death ends a life, but not a relationship.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Coffee Table Book, September 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Out of My Mind: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

Kristen Nelson Tinker gives us an insider look at what it is like to be a part of America's most celebrated television family through beautiful artwork and stirring poetry. A first hand account of the perfect sitcom family and what happened after the cameras stopped rolling. This book will make a wonderful addition to your living room. It is a fantastic conversation piece!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK BY RICK NELSON'S FORMER WIFE!!!, November 19, 2002

By 

Billy Wolfe (Lewisburg, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out of My Mind: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

This book was received as a gift, after reading it I just could not put it down. It's true interest from start to finish, Kris did a great job with this book with alot of talent and love!

I recommend any Rick Nelson fan, get a copy and enjoy!!