Harry Sticks practised as a professional artist in oils and watercolours, painting many landscape subjects in Northumberland, Durham, Scotland and the Lake District. Born in Newcastle he was first tutored in art by his father, Henry Sticks and his uncle, George Blackie Sticks. He appears to have produced predominantly small scale paintings. Exhibited at the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne, The Royal Scottish Academy, Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours and other notable venues.