Running a Small Art Business as a Full-Time Mom

Post by Christina Smith.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in motherhood it’s that creativity doesn’t disappear when life gets busy — you just have to squeeze it in where you can. As a mom of four young kids, my days are full of school drop-offs, sports practices, meal planning, errands, forgotten library books, last minute homework and never-ending piles of laundry. In between the chaos I sneak in work for my small art business, a place where I can breathe, create, and share beauty with my community. 

Running a creative business while being a full-time mom isn’t always easy (despite how it may seem on social media!), but it is deeply rewarding. Here’s a little behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like — plus some tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way!

Finding Creative Moments in the Chaos:

In this season of life, long uninterrupted studio days don’t exist. Instead, I create in pockets — early mornings before the house wakes up, during nap time, when the kids are distracted for 10 minutes or in that magical hour after bedtime when everything is finally quiet.

Even though they are few and far between, those tiny moments eventually add up. Some of my favorite paintings were created in 20-minute increments at the kitchen table while dinner simmered on the stove.

A tip for makers with kids:

Lower the bar for “ideal creative time.” You don’t need perfect conditions to make something beautiful. A small corner, a jar of clean water, and five minutes of quiet can be enough. Try not to have high expectations on what you can get done and when.

Letting Motherhood Inspire the My Art:

I sometimes worried that parenting would pull me away from my creativity, but I’ve found the opposite. My children constantly remind me to look closely, stay curious, and appreciate the small wonders. Even the way the light hits a puddle, the softness of a blossom, little mud boots in the rain, and the small moments you would normally miss. 

Being around little minds can make your own imagination brighter and childlike. 

Tip:

Keep a tiny sketchbook or notes app handy. When inspiration hits (often in the most chaotic moments), jot down quick ideas to revisit later. This has helped me keep ideas fresh until I have time to create them!

Running a Business Between School Pickups and Drop Offs: 

My business is built from a mix of watercolor originals, cards, stickers, hand painted items and small prints. That means a lot of behind-the-scenes work: packaging, photographing, listing items, website managing, social media, deliveries, and managing orders. That doesn’t include the actual creative work!

Most of it happens while kids are doing homework at the table or playing in the living room within arm’s reach.

It becomes a little easier when half of them are in school for the day. The smaller two are in their toddler years still but I still manage to make time. 

It’s not glamorous — but it’s real, and it is a lot of work. 

Tip:

Batch your tasks.

Instead of switching constantly, dedicate small blocks of time to one type of task:

• Packaging orders all at once
• Photographing art in one session
• Scheduling social posts weekly instead of daily

It saves mental energy and keeps you from feeling too scattered. I for one end up starting a million things and having a hard time completing anything unless I can stay focused! Keeping my planner updated also helps me stay focused. 

Involving the Kids When It Makes Sense: 

One of the sweetest parts of this journey is letting my children occasionally be part of it. They love helping stick labels on envelopes, organizing prints, counting stickers, or choosing colors for a new painting. It teaches them creativity, responsibility, and the joy of building something from scratch. My six year old daughter has the most fun helping mom. She will often pull up a chair next to me while I’m painting and work on her own little project. 

And honestly? I really enjoy these little moments and the memories they bring. 

Tip:

Have a “kid job” ready — simple tasks they can help with when they’re eager to be part of your work. It keeps them included without derailing your momentum. Even if that’s having your toddler play in the paint brushes while you work. 

Protecting Time for Yourself:

Here’s the truth: running a business while raising a family means you rarely feel caught up. There’s always something else that needs you. But I’ve learned that when I carve out time to paint, I show up better everywhere else — calmer, happier, more grounded. I feel more accomplished at the end of the day. Which helps me stay motivated to keep going. 

Art is not the thing that steals my time. It’s the thing that restores it.

Tip:

Schedule your creative time like an appointment. Even if it’s only once or twice a week, treat it as non-negotiable. I get up, get ready for the day with enough time to get my kids ready for school and other things. Once they’re off I find things for my toddler to do and then I get to work! Getting the day started being productive makes me feel less guilty about spending time resting and cuddling the kids in the evenings. 

Grace Above Perfection:

If you’re a mom or dad balancing a creative passion with a busy household, I hope you hear this:

You don’t have to choose between being an artist and being a mother or father. You can be both — beautifully, imperfectly, and wholeheartedly.

Some days the house wins. Some days the art wins. Most days, it’s a messy blend of the two.

But in that beautiful mess, something meaningful grows. The ability to create art and make memories for you and your children for generations to come.