My First Artist Market
as a Mom and Emerging Artist
This summer, I did something that’s been on my heart for years—I participated in my very first artist market.
As a mom of four, summer usually feels like a blur. Between summer camps, extended vacation weekends, back-to-school shopping and trying to keep everyone fed and entertained it seems never-ending. But in the middle of all that I decided I was going to do something for myself— carve out time to print art, cut stickers, and brainstorm new designs.
It wasn’t easy. But it was worth every late night and early morning.
Balancing Summer Mom Life With Market Prep
Let me start by saying as someone who has been drawing and creating art their entire life, I have never sold my art. EVER. Both nervous and excited I knew I needed this. Being to only a few of these events, prepping and preparing for an artist market in the summer is a whole different game. The kids still being out of school, I found myself rotated between camp drop-offs and playdates, I was juggling market checklists—double-checking my prints, planning my display table, and labeling products. Some days, I’d be at the pediatrician’s office in the morning for a kids doctor’s appointment and running test prints by the afternoon.
It wasn’t glamorous, but it reminded me of something important: I don’t have to pause my creative dreams until life “slows down.” I can build them right here, in the middle of real life.
This Market Was About More Than Sales
Of course, I wanted to sell my art prints and see customers light up when they found something they loved. But stepping into that market was about more than transactions—it was about proving to myself that I could step into this new season as both a mom and a business owner. It was about letting my kids see their mom take a risk and do something she loves.
Motherhood—especially in summer—doesn’t leave a lot of open space. But picking up my sketchbook and creating in this way filled me with so much joy and fulfillment. It’s proof that feeding your passions actually gives you more to give to your family.
My first artist market happened in the middle of summer chaos, and that’s exactly why it meant so much. It showed me that growth doesn’t require perfect conditions—it just requires showing up. So if you’ve been waiting for a “better” time to start your passions, here’s your sign: go for it now, even if your to-do list is already full.