Her momma calls her an old soul. She calls herself an office fairy. I call her a goddess…the Madonna Inn Heiress.
It’s a Saturday afternoon in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and I am greeted by Audrey Pearce, dressed in a teal velour vintage robe, her hair tossed and wavy, and looking gorgeous as ever. “You look beautiful.” She greets me with a smile. “As do you,” I respond, flooded with inspiration.
“Don’t mind the mansion,” she laughs as we sit. Decorated with vintage art, magazines, make up and clothes tossed among us, we laugh, smile, tear, and become very much aquainted in her quaint, humble, comfortable home tucked behind the Inn.
Inspired by interior design, vintage photography, her favorite artist Georgia O’Keeffe, music, and her grandmother Phyllis Madonna, Audrey loves to write poetry, loves learning how the world connects, and holds strong passion for her family, team roping, fashion, and her family traditions. “The Inn, the way my grandmother decorated it, is so funky, so…me.”
When asked about the Madonna Inn, she smiles with such love for her family. She is very much inspired by her mother, Connie Pearce, her grandmother, and their family traditions. “The Inn is definitely a part of me but I do not hold any title.” She laughs at me when I call her an heiress.
Audrey, 19 years old, is majoring in Psychology at Cal Poly. Her long-term goal is to work with children and teens, and in the near future incorporate psychology into the Madonna Inn. The cowgirl fashionista competes on the Cal Poly rodeo team, roping horns for Shyan Souza. The community, the rush…makes her obsessed with team roping. Jackpotting with her family and being with her horses is what she’s fond of. At this year’s Oakdale 10 Steer, Audrey and her father Clint, successfully roped all 10 steers, something to be proud of.
Missioni, Versace, vintage. Her face lights up when I ask her about fashion. “Fashion gives you a chance to recreate yourself. It’s a way for me to be myself and dress for myself.” For Audrey, fashion allows her to express herself and reminds her not to take things too seriously. Her wardrobe is filled with thrifted items, lots of colors, western clothing, a few high end ensembles, and many sacred items from her mother and grandmother. Her denim high waisted skinny jeans are her favorite staple go-to piece, in which she feels confident wearing anytime, anywhere.
What is not commonly known about Audrey Pearce, the classy, optimistic, inspirational, beacon of beauty, hippie cowgirl – is that she can jam on a guitar and is a die-hard for music, especially rock ’n roll. “I love the sadness in rock ’n roll. It is beautiful and honest. I love the truth and the stories, and how it makes me feel,” she beams.
Her guitar, an acoustic Recording King given to her by her parents, is placed delicately in the corner of her bedroom near her bed. A girl after my own heart, she picks her guitar up and plays me a beautiful tune as we both connect and admire her guitar.
Team roping, music, family, and fashion gives her peace of mind. She is a very motivated, intelligent young lady, who every time she opens her mouth, has something inspiring or loving to tell you. Next time you see her at a roping or rodeo, not only do you demand that she turns steers for you but let her inspire you, and ask her to strum her guitar… guaranteed you’ll fall in love.
“Any closing thoughts?” I ask. “Dream. Be happy and love what you do,” she says freshly.
Visit me: http://caliidreamin.blogspot.com to see outfit and more pictures.