Sarah Spann James is a digital artist and designer based in the Pacific Northwest, originally from the vibrant artistic hub of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Raised in a family of artists, Sarah was immersed in creativity from an early age, taking her first informal art lessons in the back room of a small gallery owned by her grandmother and aunt. Despite this artistic environment, fine art always felt distant and intimidating. Her childhood presented challenges, and the path to fully embracing her identity as an artist took time. It wasn’t until adulthood—after years of growth and self-discovery—that she found the confidence to fully step into her artistic identity.
For over a decade, Sarah built a successful career in graphic and surface design, working across a diverse range of projects, including print-on-demand products, book covers, web design, and event promotional materials. She also founded her own design business, specializing in event invitations and party supplies. In 2021, she transitioned toward fine art, embracing digital art as her chosen medium and stepping into Web3 and the world of crypto art and NFTs, minting her first NFTs in 2022. Her current work explores the complexities of human emotions intertwined with subtle themes and questions of technological sentience. Like a whisper into the void, she doesn’t expect specific interpretations of her work but rather hopes someone will hear the whisper and realize they aren’t alone.
Returning to school allowed Sarah to reconnect with her love for art history and provided opportunities for growth in both traditional and digital mediums. In 2024, she graduated from Lane Community College with an Associate of General Studies, focusing on Art History and Studio Art. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies at Oregon State University, with a thematic focus on Art History and New Media Communications. Looking ahead, she hopes to have her art writings published and plans to eventually open her own gallery or art space—one that champions digital art and technological innovation, celebrating it at the forefront of contemporary culture.
Throughout her academic and artistic journey, Sarah has often found herself standing at a podium—both literally and figuratively—facing vocal counterarguments from those challenging her perspective on digital art and blockchain technology. She has at times been the only digital artist featured in otherwise traditional exhibitions, where her inclusion was sometimes met with confusion or resistance. These experiences have pushed her out of her comfort zone, fueling her passion and driving her growth—not only as a digital artist but also as an advocate for digital art.
"Digital art is a part of the same art history legacy as traditional art. We are not the outsiders they think we are; we’re part of an ongoing legacy of innovation. History is full of artists like us."
