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Work in Progress: A Memoir
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 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, drugs, 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 of himself. Frank, profound, and occasionally hilarious, it's motivational magic for the digital age.
Devon Rodriguez talks to 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, drugs, 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 of himself. Frank, profound, and occasionally hilarious, it's motivational magic for the digital age.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication September 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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July 13, 2026Work in Progress is an inspiring and deeply personal memoir that goes far beyond the story of artistic success. Devon Rodriguez offers an honest account of resilience, creativity, and determination, showing how talent, persistence, and authenticity can transform even the most difficult beginnings into extraordinary opportunities.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its emotional honesty. Rodriguez doesn't present success as something that happened overnight or through luck alone. Instead, he shares how art became both an escape and a lifeline during a childhood marked by adversity, illustrating the remarkable role creativity can play in healing, self-expression, and personal growth.
I particularly appreciated the way the memoir captures the intersection of traditional artistic skill and modern digital culture. Rodriguez demonstrates that social media can become far more than a platform for entertainment it can also be a powerful tool for sharing meaningful work, connecting with people, and building an entirely new path to success outside conventional gatekeepers.
The stories behind his subway portraits and encounters with strangers reinforce one of the book's central themes: every person has a story worth seeing and telling. That human-centered perspective gives the memoir warmth and emotional depth while reminding readers that genuine connection often begins with curiosity and empathy.
What makes Work in Progress especially compelling is that it speaks to a wide audience. Artists, entrepreneurs, creators, students, and anyone pursuing an unconventional dream will recognize the challenges of self-belief, perseverance, and finding opportunity where others see obstacles.
Ultimately, this is more than the story of a successful artist it is a powerful reminder that our circumstances do not define our future. Through remarkable talent, relentless determination, and a willingness to embrace new possibilities, Devon Rodriguez has created an inspiring portrait not only of himself but of what is possible when passion meets perseverance.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its emotional honesty. Rodriguez doesn't present success as something that happened overnight or through luck alone. Instead, he shares how art became both an escape and a lifeline during a childhood marked by adversity, illustrating the remarkable role creativity can play in healing, self-expression, and personal growth.
I particularly appreciated the way the memoir captures the intersection of traditional artistic skill and modern digital culture. Rodriguez demonstrates that social media can become far more than a platform for entertainment it can also be a powerful tool for sharing meaningful work, connecting with people, and building an entirely new path to success outside conventional gatekeepers.
The stories behind his subway portraits and encounters with strangers reinforce one of the book's central themes: every person has a story worth seeing and telling. That human-centered perspective gives the memoir warmth and emotional depth while reminding readers that genuine connection often begins with curiosity and empathy.
What makes Work in Progress especially compelling is that it speaks to a wide audience. Artists, entrepreneurs, creators, students, and anyone pursuing an unconventional dream will recognize the challenges of self-belief, perseverance, and finding opportunity where others see obstacles.
Ultimately, this is more than the story of a successful artist it is a powerful reminder that our circumstances do not define our future. Through remarkable talent, relentless determination, and a willingness to embrace new possibilities, Devon Rodriguez has created an inspiring portrait not only of himself but of what is possible when passion meets perseverance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was unfamiliar with Devon Rodriguez and his artwork before reading this memoir, but now I'm a fan. It was truly one of the most inspirational memoirs I have ever read.
As a child, Devon survived years of abuse and neglect from both his parents, but what saved him was his love for drawing, a zeal to change his life using his art, and the unconditional love of his abuela.
He tells his story in such a way, like his art, that the reader is drawn (no pun intended) into his world; we experience how he sees life and translates those perceptions into his work. He is a fascinating person and extremely talented.
Anyone who enjoys memoirs and the human perspective will love this book. His fans will also appreciate learning how he went from being an underprivileged kid in the Bronx to someone whose artistic gifts positively affect everyone who encounters them.
I was unfamiliar with Devon Rodriguez and his artwork before reading this memoir, but now I'm a fan. It was truly one of the most inspirational memoirs I have ever read.
As a child, Devon survived years of abuse and neglect from both his parents, but what saved him was his love for drawing, a zeal to change his life using his art, and the unconditional love of his abuela.
He tells his story in such a way, like his art, that the reader is drawn (no pun intended) into his world; we experience how he sees life and translates those perceptions into his work. He is a fascinating person and extremely talented.
Anyone who enjoys memoirs and the human perspective will love this book. His fans will also appreciate learning how he went from being an underprivileged kid in the Bronx to someone whose artistic gifts positively affect everyone who encounters them.
Review of advance copy
First and foremost, thank you so much to Penguin Random House and One World for the advanced reading copy of Devon Rodriguez’s memoir. This book is truly something special. BIG THANKS to Devon for sharing his story with the world!
This was a difficult book to review because I found myself experiencing it through so many different lenses...as a mom, a teacher, a mentor, a daughter, and a granddaughter. And from each perspective, it touched me in a different way.
As a mom, I struggled with some of the things Devon experienced as a child. Knowing how deeply I prioritize my own child made those parts especially difficult to read. But his story also reminded me of something I strongly believe: perseverance, grit, and passion can take you where you are meant to go.
As a granddaughter, his relationship with his grandmother really resonated with me. She was one of his biggest cheerleaders, and I could see so much of my own grandmother in that relationship—the unconditional support, the encouragement, and the way grandparents can help hold a family together. Those moments truly tugged at my heartstrings.
And as a teacher, I was deeply moved by Devon’s recognition of the teachers and mentors who influenced his life. It is incredibly rewarding to see someone acknowledge the lasting impact educators and mentors can have. His journey is a beautiful reminder that sometimes one person believing in you can make all the difference.
As we say in Spanish, “Si te lo propones, lo logras.” If you set your mind to something, you can achieve it. Devon’s story is proof of that.
But beyond the story itself, this memoir felt like walking through a museum. His writing is incredibly visual, you can see the places, moments, struggles, and triumphs as you read. And the inclusion of his artwork makes the experience even more personal. His drawings are not simply an added bonus; they are part of his memories, his identity, and his story.
Work in Progress took me on an emotional roller coaster, but ultimately, it left me inspired. It is a story about hardship, perseverance, passion, and finding your own path.
If this isn't already on your TBR, I highly recommend adding it. It comes out September 29! This is more than a memoir. It is essentially a museum in a book, and Devon Rodriguez’s talent shines on every page.
This was a difficult book to review because I found myself experiencing it through so many different lenses...as a mom, a teacher, a mentor, a daughter, and a granddaughter. And from each perspective, it touched me in a different way.
As a mom, I struggled with some of the things Devon experienced as a child. Knowing how deeply I prioritize my own child made those parts especially difficult to read. But his story also reminded me of something I strongly believe: perseverance, grit, and passion can take you where you are meant to go.
As a granddaughter, his relationship with his grandmother really resonated with me. She was one of his biggest cheerleaders, and I could see so much of my own grandmother in that relationship—the unconditional support, the encouragement, and the way grandparents can help hold a family together. Those moments truly tugged at my heartstrings.
And as a teacher, I was deeply moved by Devon’s recognition of the teachers and mentors who influenced his life. It is incredibly rewarding to see someone acknowledge the lasting impact educators and mentors can have. His journey is a beautiful reminder that sometimes one person believing in you can make all the difference.
As we say in Spanish, “Si te lo propones, lo logras.” If you set your mind to something, you can achieve it. Devon’s story is proof of that.
But beyond the story itself, this memoir felt like walking through a museum. His writing is incredibly visual, you can see the places, moments, struggles, and triumphs as you read. And the inclusion of his artwork makes the experience even more personal. His drawings are not simply an added bonus; they are part of his memories, his identity, and his story.
Work in Progress took me on an emotional roller coaster, but ultimately, it left me inspired. It is a story about hardship, perseverance, passion, and finding your own path.
If this isn't already on your TBR, I highly recommend adding it. It comes out September 29! This is more than a memoir. It is essentially a museum in a book, and Devon Rodriguez’s talent shines on every page.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Penguin Random House for the gifted copy.
There’s something about the writing of Work In Progress that just didn’t quite work for me. While Devin Rodriguez is clearly a talented and resilient artist, with a wide social media reach, much of the memoir is told in a voice that is distinctly distant—on the verge of being dissociative. I find that the most compelling memoirs not only narrate the personal histories and experiences of the author, they also offer insightful connections and introspection that extend beyond their personal lived experiences to the world around them. It’s challenging to develop any sort of emotional reaction other than shock at how much physical and emotional trauma is being recounted in Work In Progress. Good memoirs act in conversation with you as a reader. In this instance, it’s a one-way street. I am being spoken at rather than spoken to. It’s a stream of life experiences from childhood into adulthood and ending with social media stardom that is recounted at a distance, making it challenging to find any emotion behind the author’s memories crowding the page.
There’s no question that Devon Rodriguez‘s art, and his success, is a direct product of his personal resilience and determination, as well as the community of artists and extended family who helped support him through very trying times of his life. And while those moments of hope tend to be overshadowed by memories of physical abuse and difficult socioeconomic circumstances, much of this memoir is very repetitive. The pacing is too slow. There are a lot of descriptions of abuse of drug usage, mental illness, deep poverty, which are all experiences that demonstrate very serious obstacles to any person finding success. I also want to note that there is a substantial amount of unchecked homophobia and toxic masculinity conveyed through memories of the abuse Devon endured as a young man. Unfortunately, this is never interrogated, which I think is an unfortunate and missed opportunity on the authors part.
There’s something about the writing of Work In Progress that just didn’t quite work for me. While Devin Rodriguez is clearly a talented and resilient artist, with a wide social media reach, much of the memoir is told in a voice that is distinctly distant—on the verge of being dissociative. I find that the most compelling memoirs not only narrate the personal histories and experiences of the author, they also offer insightful connections and introspection that extend beyond their personal lived experiences to the world around them. It’s challenging to develop any sort of emotional reaction other than shock at how much physical and emotional trauma is being recounted in Work In Progress. Good memoirs act in conversation with you as a reader. In this instance, it’s a one-way street. I am being spoken at rather than spoken to. It’s a stream of life experiences from childhood into adulthood and ending with social media stardom that is recounted at a distance, making it challenging to find any emotion behind the author’s memories crowding the page.
There’s no question that Devon Rodriguez‘s art, and his success, is a direct product of his personal resilience and determination, as well as the community of artists and extended family who helped support him through very trying times of his life. And while those moments of hope tend to be overshadowed by memories of physical abuse and difficult socioeconomic circumstances, much of this memoir is very repetitive. The pacing is too slow. There are a lot of descriptions of abuse of drug usage, mental illness, deep poverty, which are all experiences that demonstrate very serious obstacles to any person finding success. I also want to note that there is a substantial amount of unchecked homophobia and toxic masculinity conveyed through memories of the abuse Devon endured as a young man. Unfortunately, this is never interrogated, which I think is an unfortunate and missed opportunity on the authors part.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 rating
What an amazing memoir!
I have seen Rodriguez's work on my social media feed a couple of times and every single time, I am astounded by the way in which he can connect with complete strangers and fully capture their essence. He truly has a gift and you can see that by the way in which he hones his craft. This is someone who cares deeply for what he does and wants people to know that this is not only his passion but his livelihood.
This memoir is so raw and at times a hard pill to swallow, especially when he goes into detail about his childhood. As someone who grew up with loving and supporting Hispanic parents, it was so challenging but also eye opening to read about how he grew up in an abusive home where love wasn't given or earned, it simply did not exist. I absolutely loved how with every obstacle that was blocking his path, he would absolutely not give up. Instead, it became fuel for him to challenge himself and do better. Every single obstacle that he overcame only made him become a better artist and a better human being.
I also highly enjoyed how transparent he was in how fame and money allowed him to do things for his community and for his abuela, the one constant in his life. But even with all the money that he was acquiring, you can clearly see how humble he is and how he surrounds himself with the people that allowed him to grow into the person he has become. This was absolutely beautiful and inspiring.
Thank you to One World publishing for the ARC.
What an amazing memoir!
I have seen Rodriguez's work on my social media feed a couple of times and every single time, I am astounded by the way in which he can connect with complete strangers and fully capture their essence. He truly has a gift and you can see that by the way in which he hones his craft. This is someone who cares deeply for what he does and wants people to know that this is not only his passion but his livelihood.
This memoir is so raw and at times a hard pill to swallow, especially when he goes into detail about his childhood. As someone who grew up with loving and supporting Hispanic parents, it was so challenging but also eye opening to read about how he grew up in an abusive home where love wasn't given or earned, it simply did not exist. I absolutely loved how with every obstacle that was blocking his path, he would absolutely not give up. Instead, it became fuel for him to challenge himself and do better. Every single obstacle that he overcame only made him become a better artist and a better human being.
I also highly enjoyed how transparent he was in how fame and money allowed him to do things for his community and for his abuela, the one constant in his life. But even with all the money that he was acquiring, you can clearly see how humble he is and how he surrounds himself with the people that allowed him to grow into the person he has become. This was absolutely beautiful and inspiring.
Thank you to One World publishing for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've been following Devon (pronounced De-Vaughn) Rodriguez on Instagram for quite a while, so when I saw he had written a memoir, I requested it on NetGalley immediately. I was so excited to read it that I also suggested my local library purchase it, and I'm happy to say they did.
If you only know Devon from his incredible subway portraits, this book gives you the story behind the artist. He comes across exactly as he does online: kind, humble, and genuinely grateful. At times, it was heartbreaking to read about everything he endured growing up, but what stood out most was his determination to build a different future for himself.
His grandmother's unwavering love, constant prayers, and belief in him were such a powerful part of his story. Along with the encouragement of mentors and the opportunities that came when people recognized his talent, those moments helped shape the person and artist he became.
This memoir is honest, inspiring, and a reminder that talent can open doors, but perseverance, hard work, and having even one person believe in you can truly change the course of a life. It left me with an even greater appreciation for both the artist and the person behind the art.
Here's hoping he makes the NYT Best Sellers List!
Thank you to NetGalley & Random House | One World for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#WorkInProgress #NetGalley
If you only know Devon from his incredible subway portraits, this book gives you the story behind the artist. He comes across exactly as he does online: kind, humble, and genuinely grateful. At times, it was heartbreaking to read about everything he endured growing up, but what stood out most was his determination to build a different future for himself.
His grandmother's unwavering love, constant prayers, and belief in him were such a powerful part of his story. Along with the encouragement of mentors and the opportunities that came when people recognized his talent, those moments helped shape the person and artist he became.
This memoir is honest, inspiring, and a reminder that talent can open doors, but perseverance, hard work, and having even one person believe in you can truly change the course of a life. It left me with an even greater appreciation for both the artist and the person behind the art.
Here's hoping he makes the NYT Best Sellers List!
Thank you to NetGalley & Random House | One World for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#WorkInProgress #NetGalley
June 27, 2026
Work in progress completely exceeded and surpassed any expectations I had. I knew of Devon Rodriguez’s incredible artwork and viral subway portraits, what I did not know was how deeply personal, honest, and inspiring his story would be.
This memoir shows something more than just a success story. It shows the resilience exhibited by someone just trying to find purpose when life never stopped trying to knock them down, while also continuing to choose to create beauty even after experiencing such pain. There were so many memorable moments in this memoir, I truly appreciate just how vulnerable Devon is about his childhood, his struggles, and the determination it took to carry him through.
I loved how authentic his story is, it really felt like sitting across from someone who was finally telling you the story behind the art. You get a sense of his passion to truly know and understand the people around him, it was a beautiful reminder that everyone has a story worth hearing.
Whether you’ve followed Devon’s journey online or are discovering him for the first time, this memoir is absolutely worth reading. This was one of the most memorable and inspiring memoirs I’ve ever read, I highly recommend.
This memoir shows something more than just a success story. It shows the resilience exhibited by someone just trying to find purpose when life never stopped trying to knock them down, while also continuing to choose to create beauty even after experiencing such pain. There were so many memorable moments in this memoir, I truly appreciate just how vulnerable Devon is about his childhood, his struggles, and the determination it took to carry him through.
I loved how authentic his story is, it really felt like sitting across from someone who was finally telling you the story behind the art. You get a sense of his passion to truly know and understand the people around him, it was a beautiful reminder that everyone has a story worth hearing.
Whether you’ve followed Devon’s journey online or are discovering him for the first time, this memoir is absolutely worth reading. This was one of the most memorable and inspiring memoirs I’ve ever read, I highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a very enjoyable memoir. Walking you through the journey of childhood to adulthood and Devon’s path to finding himself and his purpose in art. He is an incredible storyteller. It is easy to feel the emotions as he walks you through the struggles of his family and childhood. His experience of feeling different and just wanting to draw instead of fighting. I feel like I learned so much about art as he discussed how he was mentored and grew his art skills through his Highschool years. Every step was needed to complete the journey. Every loss, every new friend, each new skill. It was fascinating to hear of his dedication to his craft, the hours of work put into growing social media accounts and how he developed different ideas and ads once he started getting contacted by brands. Overall a very gripping and enjoyable book!
Review of advance copy
Visceral. Raw. Beautiful story. What a triumph!!!!
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September 9, 2026I received this ARC copy from the GoodReads on Sept 8, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
truly enjoyed . i don’t want to give any away. but i really liked it
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
It was a good read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews