In this keynote message, Devon tells the stories behind his portraits, his rise to fame on social media, and the critical role that art teachers played in his artistic journey.

Devon Rodriguez is a New York City-based artist and TikTok creator whose talents and creativity have amassed him a community of more than 32 million followers (and counting!). On TikTok, Devon is known for his incredibly realistic drawings of New Yorkers on the subway, where he draws commuters and films their reactions as he hands them their finished portrait.

Originally from The Bronx, Devon’s early inspiration came from New York’s street art scene, where he began practicing graffiti at age 11. Eventually growing an interest in portraiture and realism thanks to a childhood teacher, he attended Manhattan’s coveted High School of Art and Design in 2011. It was here that he began sketching portraits of commuters’ everyday lives on the New York City Subway.

After graduating, he briefly attended Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) until demand for his commissioned portraits grew drastically, teaching him more than a formal education could ever provide.

Devon began sharing his art on TikTok around the same time he was able to ride the subway again—the summer of 2020. Quickly achieving viral success, Devon continued to build his following by capturing the lives of everyday New Yorkers amidst New York’s most unique moment in history.

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