Caroline Baker is originally from Washington, D.C., where she received instruction in botanical drawing and abstract painting at the Corcoran School of Art. Later in life she was "transplanted" to the southern Appalachians, which she now considers home and has heavily influenced her work. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in the visual arts from the University of Virginia's College at Wise in the year 2000

Baker's work centers on the content of patterns, many of them evident in the botanical subject matter she often chooses. Other recurring themes in her work include origami and string figures. "I see how important both cyclical changes and structure are in my life. I interpret these motifs in my work through imagery that is based on the patterned composition of what seems to be disarray. Chaos theory has been a large part of my work from the beginning." In dealing with pattern, Ms. Baker has made a natural progression into the textile arts, which she has synthesized with her oil paintings. Many of her canvases are folded and dyed before the oil painting even begins. This addition to her paintings has made process as much a part of the content of her work as the product.