A LIFELONG resident of Charleston, John Albrecht had no idea how lucky he was growing up on the Isle of Palms, which inspired his love of the outdoors. His family has been in the Charleston area for four generations.

Educated in Charleston’s public school system, Albrecht envisioned being a cadet at The Citadel after a challenge from his then girlfriend’s father. “I think he wanted me to go away,” he says.

He began taking art lessons at age 12 from a neighbor. After a few years, he abandoned his art. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering and worked for the Navy, a local pri-vate engineering consulting firm, and in 1993, began his own engineering practice, doing environmental con-sulting for 18 years.

In 2001 his high school sweetheart and now wife found old paintings in a closet and gifted Albrecht with weekly art classes with the late Martin Ahrens as a Christmas gift. He’s been painting ever since. “Martin taught me how to hold a paintbrush (like learning how to walk),” he says. Albrecht also studied under Joyce Hall, Ahrens’ wife, also an accomplished, award-winning artist, and up until this year with local, award-winning artist Laurie Meyer.

Albrecht’s work is currently exhibited at the Charleston Artist Guild gallery, where he has been a member since 2008. His work was on display at the 2019 Piccolo Spoleto Festival, and he looks forward to returning in 2020.