During the remainder of the 1980s, however, Story found little time for his personal painting, applying his skills and energies to the rigorous demands of the advertising art field. As handcrafted assignments gave way to computer-generated ones, Story found his career at a crossroads. Following a brief period teaching illustration at the University of South Carolina in 1991, he gradually shifted his interest toward fine art and began to paint steadily. Of his advertising art background, Story feels his time was well spent, laying the foundation for his landscape painting. I believe all good painting requires good design.
Pure technique is never enough.
After being accepted in an international open exhibition in 1992, Story continued to enter and experience success in other shows. His client list expanded to include private buyers, corporate collectors, and art galleries. In 1994 Story began publishing limited-edition prints of his paintings while teaching, guest lecturing, and jurying art shows. By 1997 one of Story s major goals was realized when he signed a publishing contract with Canadian Art Prints Inc. of British Columbia. Limited-edition prints of the painting were later published and made available for sale.