My first real gallery, I did not email. I put a still-wet canvas in the car, drove there, and asked to speak to whoever ran it. I was 27 and my hands were shaking. It worked, but barely, and I still cringe thinking about the varnish smell in that office.

So: email with the portfolio, or show up at the door? I say email, then wait, then go. When I was young I went first and it cost me nothing but pride.

What did you actually do to get in front of someone? Tell me the thing you would not put in your artist statement.