Meet Britt Albrecht | Writer & Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Britt Albrecht and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Britt, is there something you believe many others might not?
There’s a lot of conventional wisdom around ‘never looking back,’ often packaged as an unquestionable motivational concept—keep moving forward, don’t dwell, build up momentum. While I understand the intent behind it, I can’t help but feel it’s awfully limiting.

For me, reflecting on the past is essential for both personal growth and my creative process. It’s not about getting stuck there but about learning—understanding where you’ve been and how it’s shaped who you are. Whether it’s revisiting past projects or difficult experiences, I’ve found that looking back offers valuable insights. I often draw from personal experiences, especially moments of grief or longing that have left a mark. Revisiting those emotions, even when painful, allows me to process them and turn them into something meaningful. Ignoring the past might feel safer, but I think true growth comes from being willing to look back, even if it’s hard—because that’s where transformation happens.

I think of Orpheus leading Eurydice out of the underworld. He’s warned not to look back, but of course, he does. While the cost was immense, I can’t help but find Orpheus deeply relatable—I absolutely would have looked back too. Sometimes, looking back is instinctive—it’s human. It’s not easy, and it doesn’t come without risk, but there’s still much to gain from it.

​​​​Sure, you can find momentum by pushing forward through sheer will, but that kind of momentum is often like coasting downhill—you’ll move forward for a time, but with what control and sustainability? Looking back allows us to reflect and make sense of our experiences in ways that push us forward with a kind of internal momentum, one that carries us not just away but through and toward something authentic and enduring.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always felt deeply connected to storytelling, whether through writing or illustration, so pursuing a creative career felt like a natural extension of that passion—it’s how I’ve always made sense of the world. From a young age, I was drawn to fantasy and fairytales, stories that feel both magical and deeply human. I had a vivid imagination and a lot of questions that those around me didn’t always want to discuss, so I sought answers elsewhere. Books gave me a way to explore complex emotions and experiences, and through illustration and writing, I found a way to express things that were difficult to say out loud. It’s about conveying a feeling, a story, or a moment that resonates with someone, reminding them they might not be so alone in their experiences—what those stories did for me when I was growing up.

I’d say my work is most often emotionally led, centering on difficult-to-confront feelings and the quiet, intimate moments that feel as if they could slip away in a single breath. Fleeting experiences are both fascinating and terrifying to me, and, in many ways, art is my attempt to make the impermanent more lasting. I like to explore how we try to hold onto moments, even as they transform or fade over time. Books continue to be central to my work, with fantasy and fairytales still inspiring me as they did in childhood. Fictional frameworks and metaphors offer a sort of barrier or distance that can make exploring complex emotions feel safer—similar to how talking to a stranger can sometimes feel easier than speaking with loved ones. I’m also deeply interested in the duality inherent in life—the constant interaction between opposing forces like life and death, growth and decay, connection and separation. In my work, life and death aren’t at odds but exist in an intimate relationship, as a reminder that both are necessary parts of existence. This sense of balance and interconnection is something I return to often, as I believe that vulnerability and strength, love and grief, always coexist.

Getting to where I am now wasn’t always easy. I grew up in a very small town in rural Alabama, where there weren’t many opportunities for someone pursuing a creative path. Moving across the country to Portland, Oregon for art school was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken—a leap, where I knew only one person and had no family remotely close. But I knew that staying in my hometown wouldn’t offer the future I was hoping for. The move itself was challenging, as was navigating self-doubt and moments of stagnation along the way.

Overcoming those challenges has taught me a lot about resilience and adaptability though. In creative work, things rarely go as planned, and inspiration doesn’t always flow easily. When I’ve hit creative blocks or felt uncertain about my path, I’ve learned to lean into other mediums to stay flexible and reignite inspiration when it feels like it’s running dry. Rather than forcing a solution, sometimes it’s about pivoting and exploring alternative approaches, even if they lead somewhere unexpected.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d probably kick things off with coffee at Project Bloom in Ktown. They really can’t make a bad drink. Breakfasts at Clark Street Diner and Nat’s Early Bite. For a bit of nature and art, trips to The Getty and Huntington Gardens, maybe stopping by the tea room. Maybe a hike up to Griffith Observatory for the view. I couldn’t pass up a little literary tour- checking out Sideshow, Mystery Pier, The Last Bookstore… Honestly, I could keep going and fill an entire week with indie bookstores alone. Narrowing down food options would be the toughest call, but I’d try to take them to some of my favorite spots: Surawon Tofu House, Pine & Crane, Rice & Nori, Larchmont Wine & Cheese, and Salsa & Beer. And no trip would be complete without a beach day in Malibu, with a stop at the Seafood Market and Cafe on PCH.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m incredibly lucky to have a circle of supportive friends who’ve celebrated with me at each step of my journey. They share in my excitement for new ideas and projects as they come to life, and their encouragement means the world.

I’ve also had some really impactful teachers. My high school art teacher went above and beyond during my senior year. At a time when I was dealing with a lot of anxiety, she was a grounding presence. She even arranged and accompanied me to a portfolio review at a local college, which I’ll always be grateful for. Later, one of my college instructors, Paula Work, shifted the direction I was headed by encouraging me to apply as a transfer student to art school—something I hadn’t even considered until then.

Lastly, someone who was once close encouraged my creative pursuits during some of my lowest points, helping me feel seen when it felt like all I had left were doubts. Their support made a difference, and I’ll always appreciate it.

Website: https://brittnalbrecht.com

Instagram: @brittnalbrecht & @brittn.jpg