I knew I needed some sort of record. I did it with file cards-spotty at first, later, with help, religiously. It was started before computers but out of a feeling of continuity we keep it up. Every painting is assigned a card on which is noted title, size, date painted, and the gallery it's sent to. In the event that a painting comes back from a gallery the next gallery is added to the card.
Some cards have ten or more galleries listed.
This system, while primitive, is accessible even when there's a brush in the other hand. Hardly a week goes by without somebody phoning or writing to ask what I know about a painting in their collection. I'm so glad I have this resource. It makes for lifelong connections, positive feedback, ongoing support. Some artists use a journal and place entries and comments in the order they do the work.