In Bloom

Tiny buds open as gently as the doors inside your mind. Feel the soft petals smooth beneath your fingertips. Hear the whispers of the wind, and breathe in the strange scent of American Fantastic's 2017 Spring update.

A lovely bouquet. Photo by Caleb Beechem.

Caleb Beechem returns with a new round of nature photography, celebrating the flora and fauna of the Pacific Northwest.  In this season of rebirth, birds and plants herald the dawn.  You can find more of Caleb's photography at Beechem Photography and follow him on Instagram.
 

"From Hell's heart, I stab at thee!" Art by Dordji

Dordji returns to document an epic struggle between a one-eyed man and his opponent, a fearsome spiny salamander.  Whether formed inside his own imagination, or recorded from the titanic struggles undertaken among various role-playing groups, his illustrations bring the other-worldly to life.  You can find more of his work at Magar-Art.
 

Guardian of the Gate. Photo by Mike Maes.

Mike Maes has captured a fearsome bronze door knocker, among other other strange metallic artifacts. He's also revealed the feathers and flowers he's discovered in his journeys. You can find more of his work on Facebook.
 

Ethereal Convergence. Art by Jack Scully.

Jack Scully has created a crystalline monolith intersected by an ethereal convergence. His magical and surreal creations open a portal into strange new worlds.  You can find and purchase his work on his website.
 

You can also catch up on all the recent episodes of Hip Squared, American Fantastic's pop-culture podcast.  Co-hosts John Beechem and Troy Kremer talk about all kinds of pop-culture, from the cutting-edge to the classic,  mainstream, and obscure.  Maplex Monk produces the show.  Tune in and turn on.

John Beechem has also concluded "That Stone Could Begin to Crack", his two-part story about a pair of fraternal twins, Alan and Julie, who begin to navigate life together after many years apart. Inspired by research into psychedelic substances used to treat depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, Alan and Julie take a trip down the rabbit hole with their friends Zach and Diane in part 2, "Beneath the Shade of the Mushroom's Cap".

Thank you for visiting American Fantastic!  Please tell your friends, share on social media and consider supporting us on Patreon.

And remember, when reality becomes a burden, enjoy a sojourn into the fantastic...