"When I was selecting contemporary works for a touring Modern Masters collection, Gretchen’s orb-like works were becoming part of her fine artistic development. I was impressed and purchased an early work for the collection. In fact it was one of the first works to join the collection. The dynamic and colour of this work is beautiful. Gretchen is a generous and wonderful artist."
Donald Trott, Executive Chairman of the NZ Opera School, for the Dec 2019 instalment of the My Choice exhibition series.

A nocturne is a musical term first employed in art by painter James Whistler. Paramount to Whistler’s work was mood and emotion. His series of nocturne works depict firework displays over the Thames and bear a striking resemblance to modern abstract paintings. Albrecht’s series of Nocturne works were directly inspired by an Octavio Paz poem about watching fireworks but in tone, colour and intent they are closely tied to the work of Whistler. Inspiration is a fluid concept and can find its way into an art work in various subtle ways. Albrecht does not single out Whistler as an influence, however few can look at a painting titled Nocturne with its swirling vortex of colour and bursts of gold and not seek similarities between the work.
- extended label text from 'After You', 2013