Nostalgia and Identity: Audrey the Cocktail

Jul 22, 20239 min read

In all her flavors and colors, Audrey the Cocktail encourages you to observe where your nostalgia and identity intersect.

Audrey the Cocktail🍹

Limited Series No.: 10 of 40

Music Inspiration:

“Maria Maria" by Santana featuring The Product G&B

As I raise my glass to Audrey, I raise it to myself—to the person I was and the person I am now. Those vibrant days of self-discovery during spring break in Daytona Beach come rushing back, serving as a source of both nostalgia and growth.

Okay… now we have a love letter with some light to showcase Audrey the Cocktail (very nearly named Audrey the Boriqua).

I grew up in a small town in Florida (between Daytona Beach and Orlando). Let’s just say, for me at least, it was quite difficult to be Puerto Rican in lil ol’ Deltona.

Presently, I find it not as bad because all us New Yoricans moved down to the little town. 🤣 But even so… when I was young, the Puerto Ricans told me I acted too white and didn’t let me into the fold while the other demographics treated me as an outsider as well.

This could’ve all been a symptom of me wanting to fit in but never finding a group I could relate to—- but I’m not a mind reader and so I can only offer guesses as to why I didn’t fit in. Perhaps I was just weird. Hahaha

But then… ding ding… around the age of 16 I started to blossom and discover myself and the love I had for spring break in #Daytona. 🤣 Me and girlfriends used to make a game of attending every spring break possible (you’d be surprised how many states and even varying countries take over Daytona Beach for a week at a time). This Audrey reminds me of those sun-kissed days; vibrant colored bikinis and truck-bed bubble baths I escaped to. 🥸

I have ZERO pictures from those days lazing in the sun during my later teen years but I hold the memories in my heart and definitely in my wild, free spirit. But here are a few snaps from my past teen years.

Carefree Days

What do *you* think today’s Audrey is trying to express?

I’m getting a Spring Break in Florida Cocktail-Audrey and the carefree sun-kissed memories that bubble up-- making me feel grateful for the good ol' days. 🥰🍹☀️👙🌊❤️

I wonder what she’ll look like tomorrow!! 🥂 🥳🎨🎥🍿

Digital Love Letter

Time Commitment: 1 min 12 sec

My original Instagram digital love letter for Audrey the Cocktail. I hope you can feel her even though it's a digital viewing. I hope you feel me. xo

Deep Dive

Philosophy: The Impact of Experiences and Environments on Self-Concept

Today I wanted to explore the themes that inspired my painting. A number of fascinating wormholes tried to suck me in along my journey but ChatGPT thankfully kept me on track.

I needed to put some puzzle pieces together to argue that if we deeply analyzed our past experiences, we can observe where our nostalgia and identity intersect.

Studying the events of our past allows us to gain unbelievable wisdom and insight into the development of our self-concept.

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." Melody Beattie

During my philosophical conversations with #ChatGPT, I learned of this quote from Melody Beattie, an American author, born July 2, 1948, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, who is a self-help expert known for her work in the field of codependency and addiction recovery.

She got me and ChatGPT thinking.

Beattie is highly relevant to our previous conversations about self-development, identity, and the significance of examining past experiences.

Sense of Our Past: When we take the time to reflect on our past experiences and the challenges we've faced, we gain a deeper understanding of how these events have shaped us. Like the individual in our conversation who struggled with their identity while growing up, acknowledging the past allows us to make sense of the journey we've undertaken and the lessons we've learned along the way.

Peace for Today: Gratitude for our past, including both the joys and struggles, can bring us a sense of peace in the present. By recognizing the progress we've made and the growth we've experienced, we can find contentment and acceptance in the person we are today.

Creating a Vision for Tomorrow: When we embrace gratitude for where we've come from, it sets the stage for envisioning a positive future. We can draw upon the wisdom gained from our past experiences to shape our aspirations and goals. Just like the individual in our conversation who found inspiration in the memories of carefree spring breaks, we can use our past as a foundation to create a vision for a fulfilling and purposeful tomorrow.

In summary, Melody Beattie's quote beautifully encapsulates the significance of being grateful for our past as a means to find peace in the present and create a vision for the future. It aligns with the themes of self-discovery and the power of introspection that we explored earlier, emphasizing the importance of embracing our journey, both the challenges and triumphs, and using it as a stepping stone toward personal growth and fulfillment.

Must Move on.

As always (sigh), these topics are a lot deeper than I had initially anticipated and I have thoughts... lots of thoughts.

I have a deadline to get my Audrey the Cocktail out and published, but I didn’t want my research to get lost in my sea of unpublished thoughts so, even though it's on the more cryptic side, I’m pasting it below to get your brain thinkin’.

So if you’re so inclined to jumpstart the journey, click here or scroll to the bottom of the page to read my sentimental conversations with ChatGPT.

One-Woman Show Woes

'Good Enough' Has to Be My Mantra Right Now

I'm trying to paint, film, edit, write, and distribute all of these paintings at once. But alas, I am one person.

Each week I am trying to highlight a different Audrey to do a deep dive article on. Please be patient as I circle back to this beauty with even more details and perspectives.

Visit the Press Room HERE to deep dive into the first Featured Audrey Stories.

Art to Guide You

Check Audrey's Availability

As of right now... Audrey the Cocktail is available and she's just waiting to encourage you to be grateful for the memories where your nostalgia and identity intersect.

If you need her in your life, shoot me a message or visit her in the Audrey viewing gallery here....

How Could I forget...?

Martin Scorsese directed Michael Jackson's movie for, "Bad."

Seemingly random, but is it? Ha. I somehow completely forgot that Martin Scorsese directed MJ's mini-movie for the highly anticipated release of, "Bad."

Go down memory lane and revisit how Michael Jackson presented his artistry to the world; five or so years after the release of Thriller. It was a big deal, a massive shift for him.

There was no one like him and he put it all on the line and reinvented himself into the eclectic icon we all have come to recognize. His voice as an artist and what he shared with the world is astounding to me. What a creative pioneer.

Searching

for something in particular?

Here are some quick answers to some surface queries.

I can't possibly wait 40 days!

Can you send me an email with the daily Audrey Story?

Can I commission a custom Audrey painting?

Do you have a press release for the Audrey Series?

Can you answer a specific question I have about this piece?

Subconscious Mind Art with Your Travel Artist

Do You Need

to go deeper into this piece?

Can I travel deeper into this piece with you and discuss other perspectives you have? Did it unlock another ah-ha moment of inspiration for you?

As the painting's creator --not to be confused with the painter's owner-- I yearn to examine you and what the painting unlocks in YOU.

Let's create and form a connection that helps root us in our humanity using art, travel, music, and philosophy. Sounds ooey gooey but remember, I'm a sentimental artist... I can't help the sentiment. I'm me.

Who are you?

Want to Follow

As I draft the Skeleton of my next article

Hacking My Brain With Art Wanna Dive Deeper

Identity and Nostalgia:

Self-Development and Time Travel

Sentimental Artist Chats with GPT

Being a perpetual student, I had to dive deeper and collate my spiderweb of thoughts into names, philosophies, and actionable takeaways.

Cracking my knuckles, I began typing my thoughts into a very rough essay; piecing together streams of consciousness to start a philosophical chat with a very mind-blowing AI program.

I've been using ChatGPT as my own personal intern, all the while trying to input sentimental notions into the AI program. I'm finding that when you give her very specific perimeters and stop her from going off on flatlining tangents... she can be quite helpful.

“Can deep diving my teen years help me show extreme gratitude to my past self for contributing to my present self-concept?"

**Sidenote: This research is cut and pasted to take you on the full journey. I continue to explore ChatGPT but do not see it replacing my content anytime soon. With all of it's mind-blowing features... it's still not a human.

I started down the rabbit hole with ChatGPT and it took a lot of traveling before ChattyChat started speaking my sentimental language. I will start with a summary of that journey, and then lead you in real-time from there.

My Sentimental Artist Command:

Can you write a summary of our entire conversation in the first person?

ChatGPT AI Answer.

In the story of Audrey the Cocktail, I find more than just a delightful drink—it's a heartfelt reflection of my own self-development and the deep ties between my past and present self. As I savor this captivating libation, memories flood my mind, reminding me of the struggles and triumphs I faced while grappling with my identity. Those vibrant days of self-discovery during spring break in Daytona Beach come rushing back, serving as a source of both nostalgia and growth.

Audrey, in all its flavors and colors, embodies my journey of resilience and self-exploration. It's not just a cocktail; it's a reminder of how far I've come and the person I've become. Each sip takes me back to those carefree moments, where sun-kissed beaches, vibrant bikinis, and truck-bed bubble baths allowed me to escape the confines of my past struggles.

Through this drink, I realize the profound impact of experiences and environments on shaping my sense of self. Being Puerto Rican in a small town between Daytona Beach and Orlando was challenging. It was hard to fit in, and I often felt like an outsider among different demographics. But as I matured and blossomed around the age of 16, I embraced my identity and embarked on a journey of self-discovery.

Revisiting these memories through Audrey, I feel a sense of gratitude for the lessons learned and the emotional growth I've experienced. Nostalgia acts as a time wormhole, allowing me to reflect on my past and apply its lessons to my present self. Audrey, the drink that bears my name, serves as a tribute to my resilience, a celebration of my unique journey, and a reminder to cherish every moment along the way.

So as I raise my glass to Audrey, I raise it to myself—to the person I was and the person I am now. Here's to the continued growth, to embracing my past, and to a future filled with possibilities. Cheers to Audrey, my spring break in Florida Cocktail— a symbol of self-discovery, nostalgia, and the enduring spirit of my journey through life.

My Sentimental Artist Command:

Dissect our conversation focusing on the cognitive and psychological theories we fleshed out and how we are molded and shaped by our experiences and environments, developing our sense of self as we mature through the years. Further, analyze how examining our own past experiences and memories can develop a time wormhole allowing you to go back in time to reap the benefits of life's lesson in that memory and apply it to your current present self.

Include a table of contents and headers for each section.

ChatGPT AI Answer.

Audrey the Cocktail: A Time Travel of Self-Development and Nostalgia

Table of Contents

Introduction
Cognitive and Psychological Theories of Self-Development
Audrey the Cocktail: A Reflection of Self-Development
The Impact of Experiences and Environments on Self-Concept
Developing a Sense of Nostalgia and Reflective Time Travel
Applying Life Lessons to the Present Self
Conclusion

1. Introduction

In the story of Audrey the Cocktail, we find more than just a delightful drink—it's a heartfelt reflection of self-development and the deep ties between our past and present selves. Through this captivating libation, we glimpse the struggles and triumphs of someone who grappled with their identity, discovered their true self, and now cherishes nostalgic memories as a source of wisdom and growth.

Audrey, the embodiment of resilience and self-discovery, invites us to raise a toast to the journey of life and the beauty of looking back with fondness.

2. Cognitive and Psychological Theories of Self-Development

This section provides an overview of the cognitive and psychological theories that explain how individuals are molded and shaped by their experiences and environments, leading to the development of their sense of self.

Dipping into cognitive development theory, theories of personality, Freud's psychoanalytic theory, and Erickson's psychosocial theory.

3. Audrey the Cocktail: A Reflection of Self-Development

Here, we analyze how the description of Audrey the Cocktail mirrors the experiences and emotions of the person behind it, showcasing the journey of identity formation and self-discovery.

4. The Impact of Experiences and Environments on Self-Concept

This section explores the role of cultural identity, peer groups, and social norms in shaping an individual's sense of self and belonging.

5. Developing a Sense of Nostalgia and Reflective Time Travel

We delve into the concept of nostalgia and how memories can act as time wormholes, allowing individuals to revisit past experiences and gain valuable insights.

6. Applying Life Lessons to the Present Self

Here, we discuss the benefits of examining past experiences and how they can be applied to the present self, fostering emotional growth and resilience.

7. Conclusion

In the final section, we summarize the key points discussed and highlight the significance of understanding the relationship between experiences, self-development, and personal growth.

Alas, time is up (for real) for this research project and now I have to set aside more time to write the entire article. But not to worry, I shall circle back. xo