Work in Progress: A Memoir by Devon Rodriguez (Hardcover) (PREORDER)

Nonfiction - Biography & Autobiography - Memoir - Art - Artists, Architects & Photographers - Hispanic and Latino

RELEASE DATE: 9/29/2026 (WILL SHIP DIRECTLY FROM OUR SUPPLIER'S WAREHOUSE)

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 20 original black-and-white ink drawings of the people, places, and things that made him who he is.

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. When Rodriguez was a child, art became an escape from devastating abuse and poverty. It was also a currency that 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, sharing his work in bite-sized TikTok videos that after many experiments 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 a Yale degree.

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, it's motivational magic for the digital age.

AUTHOR BIO: 

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.

Review Quotes:
"Devon Rodriguez doesn't just draw people--he teaches you how to really see them. In his captivating memoir, Rodriguez 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

"As a kid from the Bronx who didn't have a traditional path to success, Rodriguez's story resonates OD. He also serves as a reminder that the Bronx breeds some of the most resilient people on Earth! (I am completely unbiased in this statement.)" --The Kid Mero, co-author of God-Level Knowledge Darts

"This is an insightful, must-read glimpse into the life of a young man whose story is filled with resilience and all the colors that life has to offer. Devon Rodriguez's path has not been easy but he continued moving forward to achieve his goals and pursue his dreams. And guess what? He's still young, still growing. Buckle up, pick up a paintbrush, and imagine his life." --Luis Guzmán, acclaimed actor