In many of his paintings, the artist uses strong linear architectural elements in contrast with native flora.

Growing up in California, Jack Baker received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College and his Master of Fine Arts degree from Scripps College in Claremont. He also attended the University of Southern California, the Academie Julien in Paris and the University of Mexico.  He painted with Milford Zornes and Millard Sheets.

In 1955, Baker went to Addis Abeba, Ethiopia to teach at the Government Technical School and was soon named the director of the Emperor Haile Selassie's Academy of Art.  Here he began painting the indigenous flora and fauna and the fascination with the exotic brought him to other African countries, among them Zanzibar and  Kenya. Further travels include India, Russia, Malta and England, where he was equally attracted by the hedgerows and pastures of the English countryside. 

His work has been exhibited around the globe, from Bombay to London and California.

His work is in the permanent colelctions of the Phoenix Art Museum, Davenport Museum, Joslyn Art Museum, El Paso Museum of Art, and many others.