Sure, I guess I could give you some advice...

I've been doing web/graphic design and usability for a living for about 7 or 8 years, but I am NOT by any means an expert.
So, take my advice as you will

<rage takes a deep breath> hehe...

Mike hit it on the head with the KISS ideology.
The essence of usablity is not having to worry about where you came from, where you are, and how you are going to get away from what you've gotten yourself into.

So basicly, don't bite off more than you can chew.

If your goal is simply a gallery for your imagery, don't over design your GUI so much that you lose sight of what you set out to create.

It's like making a demo reel.
Say you are a killer animator, but you suck at shading and lighting.
Obviously you woudn't want your horrible textures and bad lighting to be the first impression people get when they pop in your tape.....

.....or see when they go to your online portfolio

If you are VERY conserned with the LOOK of your site design, then I HIGHLY suggest that you study this:
https://www.thestudyofdesign.com/articles_gestalt.php

However, if your only goal is simply an area to show off your experiments, then, like Mike said K.I.S.S.

And you all thought that the song, "I wanna be like Mike" was about Micheal Jordan.... hehe...

I hope this did not sound mean?
That wasn't my intention.