He began as a furniture designer for David Jones Limited, but decided on a career in art: studying at Sydney Technical College before entering the Julian Ashton Art School, where he studied directly under Julian Ashton,[2] from whom he learned plein air techniques.

In 1917, Leist was appointed as an official war artist to serve with the Australian Imperial Force in France.

As a result of these works, Leist's popularity increased and he gained several commissions from the United States; producing similar murals in St. Augustine and Tampa.

[2] Returning to Australia in 1926, Leist took up a position as the Head of Painting at the East Sydney Technical College.

[9] Leist is represented in the Art Gallery of New South Wales with ten works as well a representations in several private collections.