@coldcherry, if you are authentically interested in building enough of a body of work for a showing, just be honest with the people who say they "like your work" and tell them that you are currently "building work for a show." It also gives you a better leg to stand on if anyone "insists:" You can reply with "I'm sorry, but the ONLY way I can let you take that is if you give me full payment of $____ right now because I will have to spend time and art supplies to replace it with something else for my show-- I hope you understand." It's about setting healthy boundaries.