Jacobs uses materials that surprise and stimulate associative and visceral reactions in an effort to interpret society and initiate change. Through her creative process she examines and conveys the complexities, contradictions and injustices of our world.

She received her MFA in printmaking from San Francisco State University in 1996, Leo D. Stillwell Graduate Scholarship (1995), James D. Phelan Award (1997), Kala Art Institute Fellowship (1997), Women’s Studio Workshop Artist Book Residency Grant (1999), Artadia award (2000), Signal Fire’s Alpenglow Artist Backpacking Residency (2013), Regional Arts & Cultural Council Project Grant (2012, 2008 & 2005), RACC Professional Development Grant (2009, 2014), Career Opportunity Grant Oregon Arts Commission (2010) with The Ford Foundation (2015) PLAYA artist residency (2016).

Her prints and artist books are in The Getty, SFMOMA, the De Young, Achenbach Foundation, The New York Public Library, the Library of Congress, Walker Art Center, Yale, Stanford, and Reed College among others.