Mother and Daughter Interview: Joanne & Lulu
Joanne Chan, Founder and creator of Illustoria Magazine and Illustoria Studio, with her daughter, Lulu.
When I was thinking of my first pair of mother/ daughters to photograph for the journal I was thrilled to convince my dear friend Joanne Chan who I danced and studied with at UC Berkeley and in NY.
Joanne is a creative and elegant mother of 3, based in the Bay Area in Berkeley. She is always an inspiration to me with her grace and intelligence. She founded and created one of my favorite publications, Illustoria Magazine for creative kids and their adults as well as Illustoria Studio. Meet Joanne and her beautiful daughter, Lulu.
Learn more about Illustoria on their website or Instagram at @illustoriastudio and @illustoriamag.
Interview with Joanne
Hi Joanne, What is a perfect day for you and Lulu?
So many possibilities for perfect days: Ocean days, mountain days, city days, stay-at-home days.... Lulu and I love being out in nature together, beach-combing or taking forest walks. We also love checking out museums and getting boba. As long as we get to explore and experiment freely, and have plenty of time for stories and cuddling, it's a pretty perfect day.
Is there something that really surprised you about motherhood?
Motherhood constantly surprises me. Some days I feel like a fearless warrior and other days like a big fluffy pillow (that wants to stay in bed). There's a vastness in motherhood and so many seeming contradictions--of tenderness and strength, infinite love and deep wounds, a daily practice in unending responsibilities and worries on the one hand, and loosening up and letting go on the other hand.
How did you come up with the idea to start Illustoria? What inspires you?
Illustoria came from a love and respect for the tangibility and immediacy of print. Books are my first love, but magazines are a more informal way of sharing a multitude of ideas and voices, building community and sparking conversations. I'm constantly inspired by beautiful things and moments, and that childlike wonder both inspires me and is what I seek to capture.
What is your favorite thing about being a Mom? And perhaps what’s most challenging?
A favorite joy of being a mom is getting to see the world again through that Buddha-mind of a child, who is so enraptured in the present moment. It allows me to sink into the ease and real pleasure, or pain, or whatever emotion is being felt at the moment, of really slowing down and being attentive to the here and now. The most challenging part is learning how to be with discomfort, not only my own but my children's. Being a mom often feels like a huge hunk of my heart is outside of myself and the skinned knees, upsets, heartbreaks, and real barriers that my children face are somehow embodied in my own experience.
Where do you dream of going it can be near or far, or what is a dream of yours right now?
Now that I've had a taste of creating a world unto itself in a children's magazine, my current dream is to create a different, maybe physical, space and experience of belonging, storytelling, sharing, community, healing, and art. Like a secret garden where all are welcomed and we can create and dream together in this magical space.
Interview with Lulu
Hi Lulu, How old are you and where do you live?
4 and I live in Berkeley.
What are your favorite things to do?
Play dress up, like to dress up again, and sing and dance.
What are your favorite things about your Mom?
Love and kisses and hugging
What do you do on a perfect day with Mom and dad?
Go on a picnic.
Do you like clothes what do you love to wear?
Yes. Dresses.
Learn more about Illustoria on their website or Instagram at @illustoriastudio and @illustoriamag.