SANDPOINT — Combining artwork with hiking, Lillian Lassen and her young daughter Pearl have created a special bond. They’ve also created a seven-part mother and daughter series of “happy paintings” entitled “Sandpoint Mountain Flora Paintings” on display at two locations at the Pend Oreille Arts Council’s ArtWalk show.

“I wanted to make good memories with her,” Lillian said. “We both love to hike and we both enjoy painting.”

It was a win-win.

Last summer and fall, Lillian and Pearl, who was 6 at the time, went exploring in the mountains around Sandpoint. They took sketchpads on their hikes together. When they found something special to sketch, such as a flower, they would stop and draw and Lillian would take photos of what they’d found. When they got home, the two would paint pictures of the specific tree or view they’d spotted.

“I have always valued the silence and breathtaking glory of the wilderness. I wanted to share my love of the wilderness with my daughter. We love the great outdoors and go on a lot of hikes during the summer, fall, and winter,” Lillian said. Together they explored areas on Schweitzer Mountain, Mickinnick, the Syringa hills, and Lillian’s personal favorite — “the enchanted woods of Gold Hill.”

Lillian said the two chose subject matter that caught their eye-mountain flowers or weeds that graced the landscape.

The fifth generation Sandpoint-area resident said a 6 year-old doesn’t have a long attention span, so most of the actual painting took place in their Sandpoint home.

Lillian used oils and Pearl used acrylics to paint their respective pictures. Lillian guided Pearl through the process.

“I like pink and purple,” said Pearl, who was very excited for the ArtWalk opening Friday night. “My grandma and grandpa are coming!” she said.

“I didn’t want the series to look too formal, so Pearl’s small paintings are framed, but mine aren’t,” Lillian said.

Both experiences of hiking and painting together not only created memorable times together. The series is “also a beautiful comment on appreciating the great outdoors at any age,” Lillian said.

To her mother’s delight, Pearl recently asked when they will start on the next series. Lillian, who was raised on the Lassen family farm near Glengary Bay, said they are going to paint old homesteads in the area.

Pearl gleefully exclaimed the best part of the series was “PAINTING! And also, spending time with my mom.”

Half of the Sandpoint Mountain Flora Paintings are featured at POAC with other artists’ works at 110 Main St., Suite 101. The other half of the series is on display at Tru Art, 212 N. First Ave., Suite 101, a newly opened studio gallery owned by artist and art teacher Karen Trublood.

For more information on ArtWalk, go to artinsandpoint.org/artwalk/ or call 208-263-6139.

Susan Drinkard writes features for the Daily Bee. She can be reached at susanadiana@icloud.com.