Composition 17 By Norman Greenstein

Norman Greenstein, also known to friends, family, and fans as The Parkinson’s Painter, is an artist, writer, and public speaker who has led a life of service on his way to fulfilling a lifelong ambition to be a painter. After a life of putting his dream on hold, it finally became possible after Norman was diagnosed with Parkinson disease in 2008, and then forced into early retirement a few years later.

Born in Philadelphia during World War II, Norman took art classes at a young age, which heightened his sensitivity to the world around him. He served in the US Air Force for 4 years during the Vietnam War and then attended Philadelphia Community College and Temple University, receiving his BA in 1970. Throughout his life, Norman always looked to benefit society and family above himself.

After his diagnosis of PD, Norman rediscovered painting as a distraction from his condition. He began painting daily to keep busy and found it helped him cope with his symptoms. In 2012, when PD symptoms forced him to retire from his career as a local community director, he committed to spreading awareness of PD, working towards a cure, and bringing the benefits of art he had experienced to others. Norman additionally has given talks and taught art classes to other seniors and people with PD. In 2018, Norman began selling his paintings, which can be viewed at: https://parkinsonspainter.com.

To help make an impact, Norman donates 20% of the proceedings of all his sales to the American Parkinson Disease Association and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

With members of his family, Norman has also written a book about his journey: Spit on a Canvas—The Journey of The Parkinson’s Painter. Norman and his story have been featured on NBC’s TODAY Show, and other media outlets. Norman’s experience with PD has not been easy but he made the decision to turn his misfortune into the opportunity to finally explore the creativity that his soul had long been yearning to express.