Harvey Allen McInnes was born on 21 November 1904 in Cobden, Ontario, and moved to Saskatchewan with his family in 1910. His father farmed near Zealandia; following his mother's death in 1939, Harvey joined his father to help him with the family farm. He retired from farming in 1971, but retained the family homestead where he continued to live during the summers. In 1965, his sister gave Harvey a paint-by-number kit. With paint left over, Harvey decided to try his own design, enjoyed it, and began doing artwork during the winter months. He moved from oil to pastels and coloured pencil. In 1974 he put some of his work in the Watrous Art Salon annual show. Regina artist David Thauberger was in attendance, noticed Harvey's work, and helped bring it to the attention of the provincial art community. Entirely self-taught, Harvey's artwork can be found in several private and public collections, including the Mackenzie Art Gallery, the Mendel Art Gallery, the University of Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. Harvey died on 17 August 2002.