[ep 084] Reanna Evoy on cultivating & channeling creativity and art

Reanna Evoy has a playful spirit and imagination that just can’t be replicated or replaced. Her life and work are beautiful reflections of being born creative and free—she cofounded Butter Magazine with friend Kris Blizzard, was art director of Enroute Magazine, creative director of Aldo Shoes and Kit and Ace, and is now cofounder of creative studio Super Bonjour.

She was born in Ontario, but the family moved shortly after to Vancouver—her young, fun parents were fans of The Beachcombers and wanted to go west as a result. Reanna flew back to Ontario to spend summers with her Ukrainian grandparents on an organic farm outside of a small town, wearing babushkas and clogs to churn butter, farm, bee keep, build sheds, climb trees, be with animals & break bread with neighbours.

As a shy and quiet teen, art was her expression—she painted fruits purple, drew complete fashion collections, and was obsessed with print magazines. Despite artistic leanings, she went into science at university and floundered. She made a switch after a conversation with her mother, who asked Reanna what brought her joy, pointing out that she was an artist at heart. She then went into art history, with a minor in fine art—her goal, at the time, was to become a curator. It was discovering Starbucks that ignited her interest in design—and she soon fell in love with branding.     

In this conversation, we explore her culturally rich childhood; what she loves about curation and world-building; the things she learned creating a print magazine; her chapter as Aldo's creative director and working with top photographers like Cass Blackbird and Tim Barber; how major shoots for brands are orchestrated; the way spirituality, meditation & breathwork helps Reanna channel creativity; how Super Bonjour finds what makes clients shine through ‘brand therapy’; living joyously as connected humans in a capitalist world; and much more.

[TIMESTAMPS]

6:56 - Growing up

15:58 - Her parents

17:03 - Where she thinks she got her artistic side from

27:03 - How she got into design

30:30 - Butter Magazine

33:14 - Her chapter in Montreal

37:14 - Her time in Australia and what happened after

39:20 - How professional shoots operate

46:46 - What made her grow the most during her career

49:19 - Genesis of Super Bonjour

51:39 - Brand therapy

56:58 - How has her passion for spirituality made her a better person in her own life

57:13 - How do we live more joyfully in today’s society

01:03:17 - Does she feel like an artist

01:03:37 - What in culture is fascinating her right now

01:05:41 - What does a rejuvenating space look like to her

01:14:41 - Does her work ethic come from her grandfather paying for school

01:16:46 - What does it feel like when she is aligned with her truest form

01:19:55 - Final question 

01:19:55 - Where to find her and Super Bonjour

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