[4] After her husband died at the age of 40 from a viral sickness, Pitseolak raised four of the children, Kumwartok, Qaqaq, Kiawak or Kiugak, and daughter Napachie Pootoogook, herself.

[4] Initially Pitseolak worked sewing and embroidering goods for sale as part of the arts and crafts program.

[4] Upon seeing the work of her cousin Kiakshuk (1886–1966), who was part of the Cape Dorset graphic studio, Pitseolak decided to take up drawing.

Her early work was well received and she soon became one of the most popular artists among those creating images for the Cape Dorset print collection.

Pitseolak was inspired by other artists in her community who started before her, saying: "I don't know who did the first print, but Kiakshuk, Niviaksiak, Oshawetok and Tudlik were all drawing at the beginning.

"[10] Pitseolak was accepted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 1974 and was awarded the Order of Canada in 1977 for her work.

As she gradually adapted to the nuances of the medium, she began laying down bold colours side by side to achieve her vivid affect.Pitseolak found prints to be the most challenging, as she said in Dorothy Harley Eber's book Pitseolak: Pictures of My Life; "To make prints is not easy.

"[12] Though not active as a printmaker, Pitseolak experimented with drawing directly on copper plates and, to a lesser degree, lithographic stones.

[4] In 1973 she narrated her story in the National Film Board's animated documentary Pictures out of My Life, directed by Bozenna Heczko and based on interviews from Eber's book.

[13][14] Pitseolak was also featured on a stamp, issued on March 8, 1993, and designed by Heather J. Cooper, in commemoration of International Woman's Day.