experienced web designer / novice WordPress user

So I install the most recent version of WordPress to one of my URLs and found that it took no effort at all to install – very exciting. I log in to realize I have no idea how to control this environment to have it perform as I would desire – very depressing. Is it too much to ask to have a ” click here to set up this feature ” or even a basic tutorial that is titled ” if you want your site to look like this, do this “. I have above average intelligence but feel very much like a moron as I bump into walls blindly.

Perhaps I can get some assistance in the form of DIRECT recommendations and instructions by describing the project:

My uncle is an artist
My uncle makes artwork ( hundreds of pieces )
My uncle would liek a website that shows off his artwork

No blogs. No calendar. No forum…. but it HAS to look like a website, and not a generic photogallery. He could just open a flikr account and get that. I see many beautiful examples of end products of wordpress that do exactly what I desire… but getting from here to there is beyond my understanding. Please assist.

Nicholas