Daniel, here is an excerpt from Clint Watson on "Do Artists Need Galleries". I think Clint has some great guidelines here: His comment below.
But, even if you sell through galleries exclusively, and even if you're shy and introverted, you still need your own tribe. What if your gallery goes out of business? Do you want to have to start over? So, if you're in a gallery, perhaps your form of "tribe building" is simply to make a deal with your gallery that you want the name, address, phone and email address of everyone who purchases or is highly-interested in your artwork. Most galleries will hate this idea, so here's what I suggest you do: Sign an agreement with the gallery that you will not sell directly to any customer they provide. Tell them that you plan to send each person who buys your artwork a personal thank you note. You will also send those people newsletters that promote your art and that those newsletters will direct all sales inquiries back to the gallery. However, be sure to include a clause stating that you or another gallery are free to sell to those people in the event that your gallery closes it's doors. Then be sure that every time your artwork sells that you remind the gallery that you need the name so that you can send the thank you note. And be sure not to ever break the agreement.
But, even if you sell through galleries exclusively, and even if you're shy and introverted, you still need your own tribe. What if your gallery goes out of business? Do you want to have to start over? So, if you're in a gallery, perhaps your form of "tribe building" is simply to make a deal with your gallery that you want the name, address, phone and email address of everyone who purchases or is highly-interested in your artwork. Most galleries will hate this idea, so here's what I suggest you do: Sign an agreement with the gallery that you will not sell directly to any customer they provide. Tell them that you plan to send each person who buys your artwork a personal thank you note. You will also send those people newsletters that promote your art and that those newsletters will direct all sales inquiries back to the gallery. However, be sure to include a clause stating that you or another gallery are free to sell to those people in the event that your gallery closes it's doors. Then be sure that every time your artwork sells that you remind the gallery that you need the name so that you can send the thank you note. And be sure not to ever break the agreement.