Running a business while raising kids isn’t always an easy task, but it’s something I built around my lifestyle.
I’m a stay at home mom to two little humans (a boy and a girl), and I run my digital art business from my iPad using Procreate. My “studio” is at my kitchen island, on the couch, in the school pickup line, or wherever I happen to be that day. And honestly? That flexibility is what makes this whole thing work.
Building a digital art business as a stay at home mom isn’t about doing everything perfectly (because that’s not reality). Putting it simply it is about creating something sustainable that fits into real life moments: a messy, loud, and colorful life.
Here’s what that actually looks like for me.
One of the biggest shifts for me was realizing I didn’t need a traditional studio to take my art seriously.
My iPad + iPad Pencil + Procreate = my entire business.
Because my tools are digital, I can:
- Create in the early morning time frames when the kids are still sleeping
- Work in short bursts instead of long sessions
- And because we travel frequently, I can take my “studio” with me wherever life happens
This portability is what allows me to keep creating consistently and consistency is far more powerful than long, uninterrupted hours.
That flexibility also allows me to build collections intentionally, which is something I talk more about in How to Build a Pattern Collection That Feels Cohesive.
I Create Once Then Let the Art Work in Multiple Ways
As a mom, my time is limited. So instead of constantly creating brand new designs, I focus on maximizing what I already make.
One illustration or pattern can become:
- Digital products (downloads, assets, collections)
- Print-on-demand products
- Fabric, wallpaper, home decor, or gifts
This approach allows me to earn from both digital products and print-on-demand platforms like Threadless, Spoonflower, Redbubble, and Etsy — without burning myself out.
This mindset shift completely changed how I run my business, and it’s exactly why I believe so strongly in Turning One Design Into Multiple Streams of Income.
Print-on-Demand Lets Me Sell Without the Overwhelm
I absolutely love seeing my designs on physical products, so print-on-demand has been a huge part of building my business while staying present with my kids.
I don’t have to handle:
- Inventory
- Shipping
- Customer fulfillment
Instead, I focus on what I love most, CREATING ART, while platforms like Threadless and Spoonflower handle the rest.
This makes it possible to sell:
- Apparel
- Home decor
- Fabric
- Wallpaper
- Accessories
…without adding more to my already full mental load.
And because my work is pattern based and cohesive, it naturally fits into home spaces, which I explore more in 10 Ways to Use Seamless Patterns in Your Home Decor.
Digital Products Give Me Flexibility and Scale
Alongside print-on-demand, digital products are another cornerstone of my business.
Digital products allow me to:
- Sell globally
- Avoid physical fulfillment
- Earn repeatedly from the same work
From seamless patterns to creative assets and educational resources, digital products let my art live beyond a single moment or platform.
This balance between physical and digital income streams gives my business stability especially during seasons when family life needs more of me. I break this down more in 5 Ways to Turn Your Art Into Digital Products.
I Build My Business Around My Kids — Not the Other Way Around
Some days I create a lot. Some days I don’t create at all.
And that’s okay.
Running a business as a stay-at-home mom means:
- Letting go of hustle culture
- Working in seasons
- Choosing sustainability over speed
My kids don’t see a mom who’s constantly “busy.” They see someone building something meaningful and that matters more to me than anything.
This balance is something I think about often, especially when I reflect on what it means to create art that feels aligned, which ties closely into Art as a Form of Self-Expression.
Why This Model Works for Stay at Home Mom Artists
This kind of business works because it’s built on:
- Flexibility
- Intention
- Reuse, not constant output
- Creativity that fits into real life
You don’t need:
- A perfect schedule
- A dedicated studio
- Endless hours
You need a system that supports your reality and for me, that reality includes a husband, taking care of a home, two kids, an iPad, and a deep love for color and pattern.
Final Thoughts
Building a digital art business as a stay at home mompreneur isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters on purpose.
My art business exists because it fits my life, not because I forced my life to fit my business. And that’s what makes it sustainable, joyful, and real.
If you’re a stay at home mom with a creative spark and an iPad nearby, I promise, it’s possible to build something beautiful right where you are.
As Always…THANKS FOR READING!!
Alicia
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