I've been in the digital art field for over 25 years.
I've worked for companies as well as freelanced; however, I've never been a sole proprietor before, trying to both create and market my work.  

For creating my illustrations and patterns. I use pencil and paper, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, ink markers, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Fresco, and Procreate.  I do not and will not use AI to produce any of my art.
I create my art using an iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, an iMac and a Wacom drawing tablet.  And all of this - it is a labor of love - in spite of the work involved, it's my joy to create.