Morley Hicks was born in Canada in 1877 and he arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1911. While working for a paint company, he started taking art classes by the early 1920's and practicing his craft in his spare time.

Hicks primarily painted outdoor scenes, frequently marine subjects. He signed "Morley Hicks" or "M. Hicks".

He was a member of Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors and exhibited often with the organization. In addition, he exhibited at the Milwaukee Journal Gallery of Art, which operated from 1924-1931. He also exhibited at the Wisconsin Salon of Art, which was held at the student union at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Milwaukee Art Institute, and other venues.

Hicks often made the frames for his paintings. After he made a frame, he sometimes carved his name in the back of the frame, and occasionally the date or other information. The reverse of the frame was often painted orange. He numbered virtually every painting, and he dated many of them. As a result, if the painting only has a number, a reasonable date can be determined. Hicks also titled many of his paintings, and frequently included the location.

Source:
http://vintagewisconsinart.blogspot.com/2015/01/morley-hickswas-prominent-wisconsin.html

A Milwaukee painter, Morley Hicks was born in Picton, Ontario, Canada. He studied at the Milwaukee Art Students League and with George Oberteuffer.

He exhibited at the Milwaukee Art Institute in the 1930s and the Art Institute of Chicago in 1941-1943. He belonged to the Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors.