Work in Progress - by Devon Rodriguez (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The inspiring true story of the self-made, Bronx-born portraitist who overcame all odds to become the most followed artist on social media worldwide--featuring never-before-seen drawings of the people and places that made him who he is.

"In his captivating memoir, Devon turns a childhood marked by poverty, abuse, and survival into something raw, beautiful, and deeply human."--Mel Robbins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Let Them Theory, host of The Mel Robbins Podcast

Devon Rodriguez talks to strangers: his subway sketches and person-on-the-street interviews have earned him millions of followers. His hyperrealistic work demonstrates the power of portraiture to help us see ourselves and each other. He's a new-school influencer with old-school talent.

Now, the celebrated Bronx-born artist turns his perspective inward. As a child, Rodriguez escaped into art to cope with devastating abuse. It sustained him, energized him and helped him stay out of trouble. This fascinating memoir is a twenty-first-century fable about a young man with a pencil, a phone, and a relentless drive to succeed.

Instead of following the conventional route to art world prestige, he saw opportunity online, experimenting with sharing his work in bite-sized TikTok videos that went viral, making him one of the top influencers of his generation. An entrepreneur who makes art accessible to everyday people, he's succeeded without gallery representation or an MFA.

Devon has now sketched over a thousand people. With this book, he delivers his most precise and moving portrait yet: of himself. Frank, profound, and occasionally hilarious, Work in Progress is motivational magic for the digital age.

Review Quotes

"What's become clear to me in following his work is this: Devon Rodriguez doesn't just draw people--he teaches you how to really see them. In his captivating memoir, Work in Progress, Devon turns a childhood marked by poverty, abuse, and survival into something raw, beautiful, and deeply human. This book is proof that your pain is not the end of your story. It may be the place where your purpose begins."--Mel Robbins, New York Times bestselling author of The Let Them Theory, host of The Mel Robbins Podcast

About the Author

Devon Rodriguez is a Bronx-born portrait artist of Puerto Rican and Honduran descent. He rose to notoriety for drawing realistic portraits of commuters on the New York City subway system. He has also portrayed such luminaries as former President Biden, Oprah, and more. The most-followed visual artist on TikTok, he was a finalist in the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. His work has been featured in The New Yorker and The New York Times. He was named a 2025 Time100 Creator and a Forbes Top Creator the same year. He lives in New York City.