New York subway artist turns talent into TikTok stardom

With more than 33 million TikTok followers, artist Devon Rodriguez rose to fame by capturing candid moments of subway passengers. Lilia Luciano highlights his inspiring journey from the South Bronx to international recognition.
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[@EricaJohnson-lm6np]

This young man is such a beautiful human.

[@22221mm]

The fact that he is so quick that he can finish these during a subway ride is incredible!

[@susanne3232]

He is so sweet and so handsome and so talented !!!!! 😍😍😍😍😍

[@jewelpoole9191]

He is so humble and handsome.

[@simshill295]

Mr Rodrigues is blessed with amazing talent. Continued blessings. Yes Nate “he knows how to see people”.

[@kimreese2044]

Rodriguez * no s.

[@TallLeo]

Beautiful soul, beautiful talent, beautiful story ❤️

[@MDJ14_2T]

I got so excited to see Devon on CBS Mornings!!! He is such a wonderful light and talent and as an Afro-Latina, I felt so much joy and pride while watching this segment. Blessings to his abuelita as well for staying by his side, taking him under her wing and supporting his dream. I wish them prosperity in abundance! 🤎🤎🤎

[@tulsacaupain2882]

I can imagine that. ❤

[@DavidRichardson95]

I've been following him on IG for a while now. Happy to see him get this recognition.

[@tulsacaupain2882]

I have seen him on YT and I agree he deserves the recognition. He is a lovely young man. Ongoing succes young man. ❤

[@victoriaorellana9745]

Grandmother's are the best !❤

[@vernonedmonds8596]

I met Devon while he was doing a portrait at Grand Central when I was leaving work..He is so down to earth and mellow.... our names are similar

[@lichi1244eva]

I am such a fan, I low-key hope to run into him here in NYC so he can draw me😂!! Keep rising, Devon!!

[@TdT2211]

I hope you do! Lol!

[@lichi1244eva]

@@TdT2211 I'll report back if/when it happens! 😁

[@MortenEng]

Woooooooooooooow! I LOVE you, Devon Rodriguez! You and your art ruuuules! Huge fan and I watch him on KZbin.

[@tulsacaupain2882]

He deserves the attention. He is a wonderful artist and communicator. 🎉❤🎉 All succes to him. 👋🏿🇳🇱🇸🇷

[@Brainhoneywalker]

Kudos to this amazing artist!! I had a teacher, Edward Chan, Vanguard Jr. High School, Los Angeles, CA. He changed our lives by teaching us so many ways to create, by teaching us to see and discuss arts and materials, and to love creating and completing projects almost 60 years ago. Brilliant and amazing teacher. Thank you! 6:05

[@debinvaw9758]

Such an artist in more ways than one. I know his Abuela is proud🙌🏾

[@EboJ13]

I follow Devon. His work is absolutely amazing! Add to that he's such a cool person. Great to see him highlighted here 🤩

[@khismet]

Beautiful Soul. Beautiful Talent. Beautiful Smile. Simply Beautiful.💜

[@kathleenhenselder5846]

He is so talented ❤

[@kristilisakleiner9384]

Couldn’t happen to a nicer person ❤❤❤❤❤

[@lucilletorres5989]

MIL Gracias for this feature story! It did my heart soo much good for a multitude of reasons.

[@SM3191]

He’s drowning in it, and I salute him.

[@alifc1082]

Nice to see he is talked about ... still. We need more talk about artist , hard working artists

[@hectorgallegos3035]

What a bright young man.

[@cruzmalibu4361]

Seize your moment, Devon 🤜🏼🤛🏽

[@effenbegee6252]

Beautiful

[@Shonnie1122]

Very talented! Keep the good work up!🙏🏾

[@twwoody813]

Such an incredibly talented young man, with a beautiful soul. May you continue with your well deserved success. 🥰

[@leonardodalongisland]

As an artist, it's great to see one of us busting into the scene. He's a such a humble and good looking boy

[@csimpsontailoring5972]

I follow him and his talent is beyond amazing ❤❤❤❤

[@reramoswormseyeview]

He's really good! I'd call him D.R. Sketch.👍😎👍

[@cherylalleyne9660]

I love this artist I always follow him I often wish I would be one the lucky people on the train But that never happen I love him anyway I'm so happy for him

[@TheOneAboveAll-001]

What no AI !?! He deserves his 🎉 now i been following him for awhile, as an artist myself he's living the dream come true.

[@elyzsabethahne2116]

FANTASTIC art and artist! !((Abrazos)) muy fuertes!

[@PeggyDreher]

YES he is good.

[@gailedwards4661]

Following him for a long time. Such a very nice man

[@c.s.l2788]

This was very inspiring artists someone who's learning to draw this was really wonderful to see his backstory in to see his drive and his dedication so this is amazing to me I don't want to take away from his hard work when I say this. To the actual group of interviewers that one lady that asked was he born with the talent to draw you may be uninformed about this but you can learn how to draw you can learn how to drive there are some people that get it quicker so I'm not going to say if he picked it up quick or if it took him longer because we don't know that. but anybody can draw time it takes patience it takes a love for it and if you want it bad enough you're going to do it until you get it so that's what I wanted to say about that. But other than that I absolutely love this story and to see this artists stay so humble get to all those hard times and made something amazing for himself just a wonderful thing to see.

[@rebeccajuarez2304]

Beautiful soul

[@kpatel7995]

Outstanding .Amazing Talent.All the Success in the World.

[@sarayusarayu832]

Bless this man! 🎉 May he receive many blessings 🙏

[@risaandjesus]

Wow. He is an amazing talent. God bless him and the people he has blessed w his drawings

[@jacaranda7924]

He’s such a good artist and awesome person. ❤

[@Bella-mx7rl]

What a wonderful story. He's really talented and so handsome as well!!

[@user-wc9xp8vf6b]

Such an inspiration. Wishing you continued success

[@cherylalleyne9660]

See why people love him? Even with all the success he's still a humble man I'm so happy you respect and remember your from the Bronx May God continue to bless you In so many ways

[@emmanuelharbor2350]

Such a touching story

[@tergar1]

I love this guy's TikTok videos. Offen wondered who this artist was? Now I know, keep doing you, and thank you, grandma! ❤

[@sereion]

OMG! I follow him on TikTok!! He is amazingly talented!

[@duncanbleak3819]

Nice story.

[@cynthiahenry5585]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@Metamophisis]

Cool 😎 video 📹

[@TonyCardona-n3u]

Abuelita love you til i die

[@CHOSENONESHIPHOPASSUMTIONSIMAG]

Yes, this mf raw

[@scratchcardsandcollectible7455]

🎉

[@alexistejeda1468]

This guy can not handle criticism no matter how good he draws! He attacked a writer for simply critiquing an art show of his and he went ballistic getting his fans to go against the guy too!

[@ploncali]

🦾😎👍🏼🔥

[@TdT2211]

Dang Deeeeeevooooon, get ready to draw Oprah soon.

[@rodazi]

0:58 was that Kendall Jenner 🤔

[@StevenP830]

Wow. Tic toc. Is like a law suit waiting to happen. Like a black mans sistine chapel

[@9tohigh592]

staging and manipulating fake scenes for pure views and profit is not something to be proud of, pass...

[@joechen353]

Usual suspect

[@Wavelord206]

Just saw this guy on TikTok two days ago.

[@wanderlustaesthete4117]

Yeah he is pretty famous.