LONG-HAUL NOMAD

Whatever you think of when you think of long-haul trucking, it’s not Kasper Kavalaris. Kasper grew up in the Midwest and earned an Associate Degree in Illustration from the American Academy of Art in Chicago. He went on to study classical painting and drawing under a master in Florence, Italy for three years.

As a freelance illustrator, Kasper worked with several prestigious clients, but ultimately couldn’t make enough money to survive. Back in the States, he knew he wanted to pursue filmmaking, but he also needed to make some money. He looked up the highest-paying entry-level jobs, and, despite knowing nothing about the work, decided to give trucking a go—because it sounded like an adventure.

I spoke with Kasper about his job, the road, and what he’s