Work in Progress: A Memoir

by Devon Rodriguez

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.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication September 29, 2026

Reviews

[Terror F · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visceral. Raw. Beautiful story. What a triumph!!!!