In 2015, Rodriguez's own pieces were featured in an issue of Southwest Art.[6] His work, including some of his paintings of subway passengers, would go on to be featured in publications like The New Yorker, The Artist's Magazine,[2] and The New York Times Style Magazine in the following years.[3] Rodriguez also began taking commissions.[4] In 2019, it was announced that Rodriguez's portrait of John Ahearn was a finalist for the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, three years after Ahearn's own portrait of Rodriguez received the honor.[7] The prize eventually went to Hugo Crosthwaite.[8]