Judith van Praag

Judith van Praag aka the Dutchess Abroad writes about "real characters" she never or barely knew. By making up their lives she fills in a history that was lost during and in the aftermath of World War II. Her narrative takes the reader from A-Z or rather visa versa, from Zandvoort (on the North sea shore) via Haarlem, to Amsterdam and the pastoral northern provinces of the Netherlands. *** Expect mystery, lust and love in the novel "Forgiveness"(work title), a saga about a 50-year-old man who changes careers —becomes a professional artist— for the sake of love; an intimate look at the art world, collaboration and redemption in post WWII Noord-Holland. *** "Painting for Life"(work title), is a memoir about the author's family "going back to nature" in 1962. Before long it turns out leaving "Mokum" (Yiddish for Amsterdam) for a farm at the crossroads of three provinces does not mean memories of a troubled past stay behind. *** "Tell All Who Knew Me Goodbye" is a memoir about the gift of forgetfulness. *** In 1999 Judith published a book on infant loss, grief, and the healing power of creativity. She makes her home in Seattle with her Texan husband & talented Basenji x Terrier mutt and writes about Art, Literature and Entertainment and the writing artist's life.