BIO:

Dylan Freeman (also known as Kauz) revealed his creativity and awareness at an early age. Born in Forestville, California in 1976, Dylan’s favorite pastime as a preschooler was drawing unusual characters, rock bands and creating 3-D constructions out of duct tape and paper. His grandfather, Bud Plone, a cartoonist since the 30’s, inspired Dylan throughout his life.

Dylan’s first encounter with hip hop music came on a six month “road trip” with his family throughout the Northwest and California when he received a boom box and a break dance cassette for his 8th birthday. The hip hop influence was tremendous on Dylan, In 3rd grade he drew graffiti style posters for school break-dance battles and showcases as well as pop-locking and back-spins in the morning hallway circle. He beat-boxed with his friends, wore Adidas with fat laces and skateboarded everywhere.

During his junior year in high school, he started seriously focusing on “writing” graffiti at a wall in Eugene where he met and learned from fellow artists such as Taz Rock, Frust8, Sacred, and Kryme.

At the same time, he worked for Survival Lines Screenprinting where he gained the skills to produce his own T-shirt line, and in 1995 “Earth Troop Gear” was launched. Around the same time Dylan, Sage and Shortround formed a crew called DB and in 1997, Dylan founded Dirtline. Dylan and DB's strong commitment to unity, inspiration, and awareness through creative expression became the founding principle for the Dirtline’s clothing and other merchandise.

Dylan has been active in the local art scene in Eugene, Oregon since the mid-90”s. Organizing Eugene's first auditorium size all local hip-hop show with b-boy showcase packed with over 10 line ups representing a broad spectrum of talent. He organized the free wall clean-up/Graff-day in which many community members, graffiti artists, and the local fire department joined to clean up the surrounding area of a local free-wall. Always sharing creativity with others, he mentored a group of students at a Lane County alternative high school in creating a mural. In 2000, the city of Eugene funded a graffiti art project called ArtWall after Dylan, fellow artists and other committed community members' continuous efforts to create an artistic, positive outlet for youth interested in graffiti art. He assisted this project as one of the lead artists. In the same spirit of giving, Dylan has donated artwork to numerous organizations and individuals.

Dylan was voted “Best Graffiti Artist” of 2003-2004 for the “Best Of Eugene” issue of the Eugene Weekly in October 2003.

International accomplishments include having two art shows in Maebashi, Japan in the summers of 1996 and 1997 and the Japanese influence can be detected in his work to this day. Becoming a father in 2003 has also influenced his work where themes of mother and child have been integrated deeper into his art.

Working with his grandfather, Bud Plone, Dylan co-illustrated his grandfather’s book, “Home Sweet Custom Home” (2000, Xlibris Coorporation). Dylan's art has also appeared on the cover of Eugene Weekly in March, 2003.

He has been collaborating as a producer with Shortround MC since 2002.

Dylan has been vending at Eugene Saturday Market since 1996, and he also enjoys vending at events throughout the Northwest.

In personal life, Dylan is married to Yumiko Ozawa since 1999 and is a father of his daughter, Umoya Bodhi. He also survived emergency surgeries for a spinal cord injury in 2004. He now practices T'ai chi and Kung fu regularly, and is a reiki practitioner. He lives happily with his wife and daughter in Eugene, Oregon.