Albert Dreher loved art from his childhood. However, he learnt that success was not handed in a silver platter. He had to pursue his every ambition with a drive and dedication that can only be rivaled by the masters. With only the support of his high school art teacher and a drive to be a successful artist, he enrolled in the Colorado Institute of Art, immediately after his graduation from Meritt Hutton High School, Thornton, Colorado. His wife Mary worked two jobs then, and he worked in a psychiatric hospital in graveyard shift to get him through art school. He was determined to become the best graphics designer in the country. But just after receiving his first associates’ degree in advertising design in 1969, he was drafted into military service in the United States Army and his art career was unexpectedly put on hold.
After training as a military Policeman, he was deployed at Fort Polk in Louisiana where he was assigned to the 551st Military Police Company. His duty was to escort military prisoners. He says that one of the most tormenting experiences of his life happened in Vietnam when his best friend and partner was shot dead as he was riding next to him. This experience affected him deeply and led him even deeper into his quest to create and succeed. When his service was over, he immediately returned to Denver and re-entered in the Colorado Institute of Art and resumed his studies. He earned his second associates degree and later was awarded a Bachelor of Art Degree in Visual Communications.
