Anja Uhren, Visual Thoughts

Issue 1: 2012-2013
This is an interesting and inspiring selection of sketchbook pages highlighting the creative tension between studies of nature and surreal and spiritual expressions of mind and heart.
Some pages feature re-used printed text, some handwritten notes, collecting and collaging elements. There's a focus on persons (ranging from dolls to humans to the fantastical) and wildlife, with occasional bits of scenery or architecture.

Issue 2: 2014-2015
Anja Uhren's second selection of sketchbook pages (this time in almost square format) mostly shows humans and scenes (both interior and exterior). I miss the surreal element of the first issue to be honest, but the sketches from her trip to Paris (24 pages) and other places, glimpes of people she met or merely watched going about their lives, and other studies, are still captivating. I liked how some sketches are dominated by a certain pencil colour, and how this changes the tone between different pages. It is a simple and powerful effect.

The production qualities are great (I'm talking about the 2nd edition  from 2018). An inset envelope contains an editorial and discusses the differences between the first two issues of Visual Thoughts. The binding is sturdy, and  the front and back covers show lovely details mimicking a ringed sketchbook with pieces of elastic string to keep it safely shut.

Links
https://www.etsy.com/de/shop/AnjaUhren
or directly:
https://www.etsy.com/de/listing/194284845/visual-thoughts-issue-no-1
https://www.etsy.com/de/listing/255686611/visual-thoughts-issue-no-ii