Devon Rodriguez, the artist whose subway sketches went viral, is bringing his book tour to the Dallas Museum of Art. He will discuss his artwork and memoir, Work in Progress, with Claudia Vega on Oct. 15. The event is sold out. Growing up poor in the Bronx, Rodriguez found happiness in drawing. After entering the High School of Art and Design, he sketched subway passengers during his commute. Supportive teachers and sculptor John Ahearn helped him persevere before a viral TikTok in 2020. His first book explores his upbringing and belief in the power of art, rather than focusing on his artwork. Rodriguez says his love of drawing kept him moving through difficult circumstances. He now has 34 million TikTok followers and 9.5 million on Instagram. Despite brand collaborations and celebrity portraits, Rodriguez says he still doesn’t feel he has fully succeeded. Conversations with strangers remain meaningful to him, alongside encounters with celebrities. For his Dallas Museum of Art appearance, livestream tickets are available through the museum’s website.
