Harry Wickey was descended from pioneers and farmers. He worked as a farm hand, ran a laundry service and delivered groceries. In 1911 he went to Detroit to study art under John P. Wicker, earning his living in the railroad yards. He then went to Chicago and studied briefly (1913-14) at the Art Institute but was dissatisfied with drawing from casts. He arrived in New York in 1914, and, at the suggestion of George Bellows studied at the Ferrer Modern School under Henri. Unable to pay the tuition there, he then worked under Arthur S. Covey in the School of Industrial Art. Covey directed him to Harvey Dunn, in Leonia, NJ who was then conducting his school with Charles Chapman. In Leonia, Wickey rented a studio from Mahonri Young. Later Wickey illustrated for the Saturday Evening Post.
Wickey was drafted in 1917 and was stationed in France. Upon his return to New York he began to teach. In 1920 he began to work in drypoint and etching. In 1929 he moved to Cornwall Landing, NY and began to concentrate on landscape. In the 1930s he turned to lithography and sculpture. He served as artist-in-residence at Bucknell University 1942-42 and as curator for the Storm King Art Museum, Mountainville, New York, 1962-68. After 1926 his work was handled by Leonard Clayton. He was married to Maria Rother, also an artist. He was proposed to the NAD by John Taylor Arms. He submitted six prints to qualify as Academician.
First, Rainbow Cut, an etching, and later five more etchings.