[Kimberly Dow]

Leslie,

That gallery in NH did not show any business cards of artists. They were very tight with securing their clients and not letting any type of hook-up between buyers and artists occur - to preserve their part in it I guess. I used to work there part-time and it was very difficult to even get the name of people buying my work. I did not do portraits back then, but if I had I am quite positive they would not have had anything to do with that. Putting the artist in direct contact with the buyer would have (in their mind) jeopardized their commission since the artist could theoretically cut them out.

In your case, since the gallery is in the area you are well-known in - I can see why you would think they might not deserve the commission because it might not really come directly from them. I think my examples apply more to a gallery that is out of the area where you are known, so your work would be new to the clients there.