Featuring Igor Shulman’s Sunken Horizon in The Pilgrim Life: Finding God Along the Way
Deborah Smith Douglas’s book The Pilgrim Life includes Igor Shulman’s painting Sunken Horizon to highlight the theme of perseverance. Learn more about the book, the art, and their connection.
I’m delighted to share a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of Deborah Smith Douglas’s upcoming book, The Pilgrim Life: Finding God Along the Way (to be published by Material Media, San Antonio, TX). Deborah has chosen the evocative oil painting *Sunken Horizon* by renowned artist Igor Shulman to illustrate the theme of perseverance in her book.
The Power of Sunken Horizon
Igor Shulman’s Sunken Horizon is a deeply symbolic work that captures a profound shift in perspective. As Igor explains on his site, the painting reflects not just a visual change in the horizon, but a transformation in understanding and mindset — the feeling of being lost, grappling for answers, and struggling to accept difficult realities. This emotional and spiritual resonance makes it a perfect companion for Deborah’s reflections on perseverance in the human journey.
You can view Sunken Horizon here:
Igor Shulman Art – A Sunken Horizon
About The Pilgrim Life
Deborah’s book is a rich tapestry of spiritual essays weaving together literature, theology, and personal experience. It invites readers to explore the depths of faith and perseverance on the pilgrimage of life. Here’s a glimpse of the book’s cover and back cover:
Inside the book, Sunken Horizon appears at the introduction to the section on perseverance, beautifully illustrating the need for steadfastness in human life:
About the Author
Deborah’s background as a lawyer, spiritual director, and seasoned author brings a unique voice to contemporary spiritual literature.
Author, enthralled by the magic of words since early childhood, Deborah Smith Douglas has always found refuge and strength in reading and writing. She received degrees in literature and law, which strengthened her love of language and longing for order in human affairs. Raised in the Presbyterian Church in a Mennonite community in central Kansas, spending summers with Lutheran and Baptist grandparents, she began attending Episcopal services and reading Catholic and Jewish theology in college. She is at home in many faith contexts and ecumenical settings. An Ignatian-trained spiritual director, Camaldolese Benedictine oblate, member of the Episcopal Church and of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross, she has taught classes and led retreats across the United States and Britain. Her essays and poems have been published in Weavings, Commonweal, Spiritual Life, Desert Call, The American Benedictine Review, The Christian Century, and other periodicals. She is the author of The Praying Life: Seeking God in All Things (Morehouse 2003) and (with her husband David Douglas) the co-author of Pilgrims in the Kingdom: Travels in Christian Britain (Upper Room 2004). She has been writer-in-residence at the Episcopal Cathedral of All Souls in Asheville, North Carolina; visiting scholar at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas; faculty at a writers’ workshop at Corban University in Salem, Oregon; adjunct faculty in the Master’s in Spirituality program at Oblate Seminary in San Antonio, Texas; a keynote speaker at the millennial celebration of the Camaldolese Benedictines at Asilomar, California; and chaplain for The Glen, an artists’ and writers’ workshop sponsored by Seattle Pacific University in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She and her husband have lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico for more than forty years, They enjoy reading, travel, hiking, and time with friends and family (including five young grandchildren).
Where to Find the Book
The Pilgrim Life: Finding God Along the Way is available now, with a publication date of February 10, 2025. You can order or learn more on Amazon here: [Amazon: The Pilgrim Life]
- Book Details
- Publisher: New Beginnings, an imprint of Material Media
- Publication date: February 10, 2025
- Edition: First Edition
- Language: English
- Print length: 206 pages
- ISBN-10: 1947460382
- ISBN-13: 978-1947460386
- Item Weight: 10.5 ounces
- Reading age: 17 years and up
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
The collaboration between Deborah Smith Douglas and Igor Shulman is a beautiful example of how art and literature can come together to deepen our understanding of perseverance and faith. We look forward to seeing Sunken Horizon grace the pages of Pilgrim Life and inspire readers on their own spiritual journeys.
Stay tuned for updates on the book’s release and more insights into the creative process behind this meaningful work!