'It helps me': Whale Cove teenager uses art as therapy

At 15, Whale Cove's Micah Sammurtok has already learned to use her love of drawing to help her through tough times.

"It helps me a lot to forget about anything, and the things I don't want to think of," says Sammurtok.

Drawing is also a way for Sammurtok to remember her father.

"I used to draw a lot with my late dad.

"When he passed away I didn't draw for a bit," she says. "But, I got back into it and I want to keep going."

While she uses art predominantly as a tool to clear her mind, others have started to take notice of her talent.

Sammurtok says one of her teacher's friends was visiting Whale Cove a couple of years ago. When they saw her work, they asked for the price to buy one — taking her by surprise.

In the end, she sold two pieces for $80.00 each.

She has sold a few more since then, and is eager to sell even more.

In the last few years, Sammurtok's art has transformed. She describes her style as pop art.

"I'm into drawing animals and inukshuk," says Sammurtok. "All the Inuit tradition."

Sammurtok says she dreams of someday becoming an architect, so she can design buildings and houses.

"Maybe I could update Whale Cove," she says laughing.