Mary Lake-Thompson: Art Inspired by Home and Garden

Some artists find their inspiration in grand cities and famous landscapes. Mary Lake-Thompson found hers in the everyday beauty of rural California: her family, her garden, and the animals and wildflowers of the foothills she calls home.

A lifelong artist

Mary Lake-Thompson started drawing and painting as a young child and never looked back. She studied art at the University of Colorado before heading to San Francisco in 1970, where she attended the San Francisco Art Institute and met her husband and future business partner, Richard Thompson.

The couple later settled in Oroville, a quiet foothills town north of Sacramento. It was there that Mary truly developed as an artist, painting her daughters and the wildlife and landscapes of rural California.

From paintings to a beloved brand

Her artwork found an eager audience, and Mary began designing gift items and home goods featuring her original illustrations. Today, Mary Lake-Thompson, Ltd. is known for charming designs, from her signature flour sack towels to aprons and gifts, all rooted in a warm, nostalgic love of home and garden.

The Monarque Mary Lake-Thompson collection

Her gentle, cheerful style is a natural fit for everyday accessories:

• Tulips Eyeglass & Sunglasses Case. A spring garden you can carry all year.
• Ladybug Eyeglass & Sunglasses Case. A sweet nod to the garden's favorite visitor.
• Cats and Dogs Eyeglass & Sunglasses Cases. For the pet lovers who see their own companions in her playful designs.

Explore the full Mary Lake-Thompson collection, including wallets and more.

A gift with heart

Mary Lake-Thompson's designs are made for gardeners, animal lovers, and anyone who finds joy in the simple pleasures of home. They make thoughtful gifts for mothers, grandmothers, teachers, and friends, a little reminder that beauty lives in everyday moments.