IMAGO GALLERIES

After working as an art consultant in Texas and Florida, Leisa moved to Southern California in 1991 and opened Imago Galleries in downtown Palm Springs. Now located in Palm Desert, the custom designed 18,000-square-foot architecturally significant structure with a humongous sculpture garden (which also houses her private residence and is quickly becoming known as the desert’s premier pop-up venue) celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. She is extremely active in her community, including a position on the board of the Barbara Sinatra Center for abused children at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage.

Where do you find inspiration?

Oddly enough, I’m a magazine addict. I like feeling the paper and the act of turning each page. I want to breathe in the scent of the ink. I am happiest when I find a few hours of quiet time in an otherwise hectic life, to crawl into bed – a dog on either side – and lose myself in an array of magazines, with topics ranging from art and architecture to design and fashion. I will never give them up nor read them digitally.

Your life in three words:

Art. Work. Dogs. In no particular order.

Favorite hidden spot in L.A.:

Any cove with whales dining on krill in late summer, preferably aboard a boat I am captaining.

What are your best and worst qualities?

One and the same: I am honest. To a fault.

What would you most like to be remembered for?

Making someone laugh.

One thing you would change about yourself:

I may want to take it down a notch. Perfectionism is perhaps asking too much of those around you?