'Cross My Heart/Hope to Die,' 24x24, oil/acrylic on canvas.

"Gregory Story: First Paintings" Randall's Gourmet Cheesecake Factory, 907 Houston St, FW 5:30-9pm Tue-Thu, 5:30-10 pm Fri-Sat thru Oct 13 (may be extended). 817-336-2253

Gregory Story's exhibition "First Paintings" is not likely to be his last. The Arlington-based visual artist has worked in media as diverse as ceramics, furniture, acrylics, and now oils. He is equal parts builder and artist, and his work reflects a solidly constructed worldview.

A student of well-known landscape artist Dennis Blagg, Story shows his aptitude for the unforgiving disposition of oil paints in the exhibition at Randall's. Blagg said that one of the hardest lessons for students is to use the paints, even if they cost $5 per tube. "Paint is for painting," Blagg said. It's a lesson Story learned early. "He's learned from the beginning to use the paints," Blagg said in a recent telephone interview. Story also studied with Blagg's assistant, artist Linda Beaupré. She describes him as devoted to the work. "He's a young artist, young in the craft, and needs time to develop," she said.

This exhibit is part of an artistic journey for the 36-year-old that began in earnest when he graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1989 with a degree in ceramics. Since that time he has worked hand-painting custom fabrics and making custom furniture. "I think my parents resigned themselves to supporting me as an artist," he said. "I think they're surprised that they don't have to."

His ceramics are tall, some almost four feet, and are sensually shaped. His furniture, on the other hand, is well crafted and only subtly artistic. "My signature is a dot molding [rather than trim called dentil molding] on bookcases," he explained. Story also works with found lumber and shipping pallets. "Trash wood is either left as is or cleaned up," he explained. Story said he's likely to continue to make found-wood tables because he has an affinity for woodwork.

Story's first commissioned paintings were for the owners of Lonesome Dove. Story met co-owner Emilie Love when he was a server at the Del Frisco's she managed. "When I left to open Lonesome Dove, I looked for an artist," she recalled. She said the space called for large-scale paintings and Story was able to deliver. "It's the only artwork in the restaurant, and [the paintings] make the room," she said. The paintings of boots and hats, abstract western images in eye-popping colors, also draw favorable reviews from patrons.

The oils that hang at Randall's are pleasing to the eye. Beaupré described them as decorative. "Not realism or abstract but decorative," she said, "something that would lend itself to decorating."

Story lavishes as much attention to the areas that surround a central theme as the central object. "First Paintings" is a series of works that fully explore the scrumptious color of oil paints. Stalks of bamboo shout from a bright green background. Four-inch-square images of orange and red fruit leap from surrounding acrylic textured like leather to resemble a box. "The box is a metaphor," he explained. "It's easy to recognize an orange as beautiful. But within a box that's beautiful, the box becomes a metaphor. We're too busy putting things into boxes; we have to learn that the space around is beautiful as well."