Meet Kimberly Langley | Teacher and Wife

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Langley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
A devastating event sent me into a deep, dark place and forced me to confront a long-held belief: I wasn’t “good enough.” Things that came easily felt insignificant, so I never thought my art was worth anyone’s attention — or that I could call myself an artist. I’d always been moderately creative, but I didn’t pursue it because I didn’t trust my work. After that rupture, I turned to caring for plants and various art projects for therapy as a way to prove myself and to heal. Art became both medicine and proof: a way to process grief, reclaim my voice, and demonstrate that my work — and I — mattered. Pursuing a creative outlet wasn’t a sudden ambition so much as an honest, necessary response to being cut off from the life I knew.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My creativity has always been deeply rooted in nurturing the human spirit and finding ways to connect. For a long time, my heart was poured entirely into my children and my parents. Lately, my artistic expression has found a new canvas. What started out as simply caring for a few houseplants has blossomed into a fantastic hobby. Working with plants and creating artwork around that theme has become a necessary comfort and form of therapy for me. It is a happy, peaceful space where I can create, breathe, and grow. Getting to this place of joy wasn’t always easy. I have navigated some very dark valleys and the heavy silence of broken family relationships. Instead of staying stuck trying to fix things out of my control, I leaned heavily on my faith in God and my incredible, loyal circle of friends and loved ones. As I heal, my plant and art collection keeps growing. It has become a source of happiness that I love sharing. I always have a thoughtful, hand-grown or hand-made gift ready to give to someone. I decided to turn my passion into a small business. We just do a few festivals here and there but my goal is to take this little business on the road so my husband and I can travel, explore mountain bike trails and find great places to eat, drink craft beer and enjoy great coffee together. Avocado Mom is a celebration of faith, resilience, and the joy of new beginnings. I am still here, my story is still being written, and it is absolutely beautiful to me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend is coming to visit me for a week, and my goal is to give her a visit filled with beautiful scenery, relaxation, and good food. We aren’t going to rush anything. Instead, we are going to truly savor the time we have together. Here is how we might map out the perfect itinerary to have the absolute best time, although it is always subject to change. We will start our mornings with conversation and coffee. We might take our dog, Henri, for a walk to The Railyard to enjoy coffee and a cinnamon roll at The Buttery Nut, or take in a peaceful three-mile walk at Tribble Mill Park. There is nothing quite like fresh air and a quiet path to set a gentle tone for a great visit. Afterward, we will head back to the house to sit on the back porch, let Henri run around, and enjoy some crafting together. Most of our days will be spent simply chilling, watching movies, and painting or crocheting. During the week, we might venture into the city to explore the Atlanta Zoo, the Georgia Aquarium, or the High Museum of Art, stopping for a delicious meal around the beltline or in Little Five Points. We are definitely taking an evening to go see my husband play live with his band, Something Left After Misfortune, at Sweetwater Bar and Grill, which I am so looking forward to! For our local outings, I want to take her to the Arts and Cafe for coffee and a sweet treat, and we will definitely visit our local watering hole, Exhibit Ale in Grayson. Depending on the vibe, we might also enjoy a night out at The Grove in nearby Snellville, a fun evening at Slow Pour Brewing, or playing Plant Bingo with Reflections Plants. 

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When the foundations of your life crumble, you quickly learn who is willing to stand in the dust with you. For a long time, I carried a heavy silence. In the darkest moments, when I struggled to find a reason to stay on this earth, a beautiful truth revealed itself. Family isn’t always the blood we are born into. It is the love we consciously choose and nurture.
I have so many incredible souls who reached into the darkness and pulled me back into the living. First, I have to thank God for his truths. Without him I would not be here. My childhood best friend of fifty-five years has witnessed many seasons of my life. From our earliest foot steps in the mud to my heaviest heartbreaks, she never wavered. My Va. Beach girls of thirty years watched me navigate the stormiest chapters of my life and refused to let me capsize. My Georgia girls who trusted me with their precious children in my classroom, and who then turned around and enveloped me in their own circles of care, with respect and kindness gave me purpose when I felt completely depleted. My in-laws who accepted me as a sister and a daughter, I am forever grateful. Finally, my amazing husband who has shown me what love is supposed to look like. He gives me a sanctuary, a love that everyone deserves, and a safe place to heal. My beautiful circle held up a mirror that showed me my true worth. I can’t thank them enough for their love, loyalty and friendship. They never quit on me. They remind me daily that I am deeply loved.

Instagram: hooked.on.houseplants

Image Credits
These are all my creations. Kimberly Langley