Josh Vanover aka SPACEKNUCKLE   There is one word that comes to mind as I try to describe Josh Vanover's work. Fearless. This mindset has given him license to ignore any graphic parameter or art school rule. His manipulation of pixels and images is beautifully brutal, delivered in his trademark disregard for anything considered normal. At a time when his contemporaries are either soaking their work in a smoke that costumes lack of skill or have over simplified to try to hide the absence of originality in white space and small centered text, SPACEKNUCKLE has put it all on the line.  

1. Q
2. A

• There seems to be a bit of rebellion in your work. Almost a hidden middle finger cleverly disguised between digital noises. Are you a rebel with or without a cause?
• I guess I can see what you're saying, but at the same time, that's not something I'm consciously trying to put out there. With most of my work being done for corporations, I'm not sure if I would label myself as a "rebel". I'm just an independent creative getting over the best way I know how. If doing your own thing, at your own pace, while not really caring what people think is rebellious; then yeah, I'll take that label. The middle finger isn't something I hide. It's there at all times, ready and loaded. I also wouldn't say I was a rebel with or without any specific cause. My old man and grandfather were both rebel's, so I guess you can say I inherited it. My cause is more one of survival. To be honest, the word "rebel" sounds too negative for me. I'm all about positivity these days [laughs]. I'm just a normal man, with irregular thought patterns, trying to navigate this messed up world the best I can.

• Your current work is based in digital but you are also an illustrator. Touch on the importance of having an illustration foundation to support your digital work.
• I don't think you need to have a foundation in traditional illustration to be a successful "digital artist" (or any artist for that matter). If you think that way; you are just creating imaginary guidelines that limit possibilities. To me it's all about the individual. You as the creative have the gif; not whatever medium you may decide to use. To me they're just different mediums and one is not any more important than the other. The key is "creativity". The idea and end result are what really matters. I'm all about using whatever technology is available. As soon as they make thoughts readable by machine; sign me up. Plug me in. The easier I can get out all this noise in my brain the better.

• My favorite graphic artists have also mastered text and text layout. I think bad text style and layout can really destroy something that could have been great. How important are letters to you?
• I agree 100%. The use of text is very important. It's all about setting the right vibe, and using the wrong fonts/types can easily throw everything off. To be honest, working with type/text and layout isn't my strongest area. It's something I'm always pushing myself to get better at. I'm borderline illiterate (I have the grammatical skills of a third grader). Everything in my world is about visuals. So when I'm looking at letters, types, and words; I'm looking at solely the design elements. I strip them of their meaning, making my main focus the negative spaces and shapes in relation to each other and the art.

• Your manipulations of photo images are some of your most interesting work. What do you think it represents? Or is it less visceral and more about how it looks?
• I'm not sure. I just do whatever I feel. I have never been one to analyze what comes out. It kills the energy of what you do. I see all of what I do as one giant piece; one ever growing and evolving work. I love to work in all types of mediums. I'll spend time mixing mediums, and at times even blending multiple mediums, just to create one piece. The work I do does have a meaning behind it; but I don't feel the need to verbally explain it, you know? I learned a long time ago, that when you try to explain what you do, you always mess up the magic. So it's better to just keep your mouth shut.

• What is your opinion on the importance of cover art?
• To me the cover art is like the flag for the music. It sets the tone and mood for the project. If the art doesn't match up with what the musician is trying to create with sound, it can take away from finished product. I'm the type of person that will avoid buying from someone that doesn't care about how his music is presented, and doesn't even have the awareness of the artwork's importance. The art/cover is the first piece of information the viewer receives from the project. The iTunes jpeg, the blog post, the cd sitting on the shelf; these are the visuals that are either going to draw in the viewer or push them away. I have avoided albums all together just because of the art, and at the same time discovered new music solely being drawn to what the musician is doing visually. I believe that the amount of attention and time a musician puts into the package, shows how much they care about their craft. Their attention to detail will show in their music.

• What is your favorite album cover art and why?
• - "Wish You were Here" by Pink Floyd & "Peter Gabriel 2&3" by Peter Gabriel: I'm a big Storm Thorgerson fan. In particular, his work with Pink Floyd & Peter Gabriel. - "Bitches Brew" by Miles Davis: Perfect example of visuals matching the music. - "Appetite For Destruction" (released & non released versions) by Guns N Roses: The non-released cover was a big motivator for me as a kid to get into art. That one there fucked me up in a good way. - "Neon Bible" by Arcade Fire: The use of lenticular printing here is perfection. - "The Ecstatic" by Mos Def: Bold and powerful. If I'm not mistaken, a movie still taken from one of my favorites: "Killer Of Sheep". - U.N.K.L.E.: I dig pretty much everything they are doing and have done in the past. - "I Am" by Nas: [laughs] Yes, it looks like a shitty Photoshop filter mash up, but it's not, which is why it's one of my favorites. Photographer Daniel Hastings actually made a cast of the rapper's face, made the King Tut bust from scratch, and then photographed. - "Amorica" by The Black Crows: Two of my favorite things on one cover: America and pussy. - "Bobby Digital in Stereo" by RZA - Ginderman: Most of the visuals they put out are on point. - "Born Like This" & "Madvillain" by DOOM; If I had to choose, maybe my favorites of all-time. - "Stankonia" by Outkast - "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…" by Raekwon & USB's by The Flaming Lips: Not the cover, but more the emphasis on the package. Raekwon's "purple tape" really had an impact and is something that is burned into the minds of all hip hop fans of my era. And more recently, the Flaming Lips release of the USB imbedded gummy skulls was really creative. - "Illmatc" by Nas - And one more! [sorry] Greatest cover never released! From what I've read, the original cover to Illmatic was supposed to have Nas putting Jesus in headlock. That would have been amazing to see. Hate that it didn't make the cut.

• Whose work do you enjoy as a visual artist? Whose work will light a fire under your ass when you see it?
• For me, I've always looked east…Far East. I'm always looking to Japanese artists, designers, and creative for my source of inspiration. Looking at what Japanese creative are doing, is like looking into an alternate universe or something. The level of creativity is otherworldly. It really strikes a chord with me for some reason; always has. But my biggest inspiration is not actually a visual artist (even though he did paint). Miles Davis was an alien. The way he approached his craft, and the way he spoke about creativity parallels my own.

• Me personally, I love looking through Monocle Magazine. I love the clean aesthetic. The way they utilize space and the way their brand comfortably translates onto their collaborative product which they feature. What print mag do you reach for when you need a moment to refuel the inspiration tank?
• I hate to say it, but these days I don't have many magazines that get me going like, let's say, 5-10 years ago. One of my favorites was Mass Appeal. That one in particular really had an impact on me and pretty much pushed me in the direction I'm in today. I still have my collection stashed, and I go back time to time for inspiration. As for now, there's still a few I enjoy: The New Order +81 [Richardson] is one of my favorites, Lowdown is always on point, Arktip used to be a favorite of mine, and Tony Arcabascio's "Tony Talk" was my shit. It's sad; A dying breed. Still, I don't think they will ever entirely fade away.

• What is the main message you want someone who comes in contact with your work to take away?
• It's hard to say. To be honest, I'm not really trying to put out a message. I'm just trying to make a living at what I love doing, while continuing to push things creatively. If people dig it; cool. If they don't; fuck them. It ain't for them anyway [laughs]. Seriously though: no message here.