Alice Leese (American 1956) is an artist and rancher known for her depictions of the landscapes and daily life in West Texas. Her work often reflects her deep connection to the land, combining a sense of place with an intimate portrayal of the landscape. Leese uses vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes to capture the rugged beauty and expansive skies of the regions she calls home. As both an artist and a steward of the land, her paintings offer viewers a unique perspective on the intersection of nature, history, and rural life.

The “Frying Pan Fire” triptych depicts the Frying Pan Fire of 2011 which decimated over 80,000 acres in Andrews County. 

 “In 2011, when almost every county in Texas had a fire at one time or another. That was the year of the really horrible drought, where we ended up with a half-inch of rain for the whole year. It was so dry. It started in New Mexico, burned half of Andrews County, burned on into Winkler County, and ended up burning 100 square miles. Some of that land even now has not recovered. It was just so devastating to all the caretakers, the ranchers, everybody who worked on the land and had cattle. Just to see all that grass burn up, the wildlife was just decimated, and it had such an impact. I went right away and made a drawing. I waited almost 10 years to do the large painting because I was afraid that if the people who were there and who fought that fire saw that big mural, you know, it might not be received very well because it wasn’t a good time.” -Alice Leese