When a character uses art (such as painting, dancing, singing, crafting trinkets, etc.) as a coping mechanism to deal with extreme stress, such as trauma, loss, or isolation. This trope is a Truth in Television, as studies have shown that any kind of fiber art (knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc.) can reduce anxiety and depression. It is known as a form of sublimation in formal psychology.

Captivity Harmonica is a situation- and mechanism-specific subtrope. Compare Cope by Pretending, where the character instead copes by pretending their stress is not as big as it is, and