The painting ‘Precious’ is the very first piece Leila started working on. Here, she deliberately chose to experiment with oils on the reverse side of primed linen canvas, allowing the raw texture to serve as the foundational substrate. This decision marked her first experience with this medium, driven by her curiosity to explore how its natural fibers would interact with and influence the fluidity and expression of her painting technique.

The inspiration for ‘Precious’ is deeply rooted in Fanner’s engagement with Venetian history and culture. The literary exploration of the mentioned “The Gardens of Venice”, coupled with her visit to Palazzo Franchetti where she was surrounded by the grandeur of Venetian architecture, provided a rich tapestry of ideas and emotions that Leila channeled into her work.

In the painting, a female figure emerges as the central subject, depicted with a sense of reverence and care as she cradles a glass jar where a precious new seedling lies, symbolizing life, growth, and the continuity of nature. The seedling has been carefully brought to Venice by the figure, who intends to nurture and propagate it within her nursery. This imagery is not merely symbolic; it reflects a historical truth that deeply resonated with the artist. Through her readings, she discovered that the first gardens of Venice were created by the city's early inhabitants, who transported plants one by one to cultivate food and medicinal herb gardens. These gardens served as vital resources for the residents and their communities, embodying a profound connection to the land and a commitment to sustaining life in an environment where space was so limited and precious.

Thus, ‘Precious’ becomes a tribute to this legacy, blending the historical with the personal, and the natural with the artistic. The painting encapsulates the delicate balance between nature and human ingenuity, capturing a moment of quiet determination and hope as the seedling takes root in a new and foreign land.