Michele,
Thanks for your advice and for some insight into the expectations of the agencies. I think I'd match their criteria, with the exception of the big market presence (yet).
What I get from your comments is that, as far as from the point of view of an artist, the benefit to work with an agency is maybe not to gain steady clientele, but perhaps to gain the Higher $, more prestigious commissions. The only reason I say that is if the agencies want to see that you have an impressive market that you've built, then if the artist already has a busy market, well then what's the motivation to hook up with an agency?
I guess I still don't understand if an agency relationship is something an artist does at the start of their career, as the pinnacle of their career, as a limited chapter or as a lifetime solution. What "type" of artist finds working with an agency the right professional lifestyle?
Thanks again,
Linda