by Tahlia Ganser
Left: Artist Norman Roque paints the sets for the Theater Arts Guild production of “A Christmas Carol” in November. Right: Roque poses with a few of his paintings on display at Ristretto’s Coffee House off East College Way in Mount Vernon.
Much of Norman Roque, including his art, can be explained by the tattoos that wrap around his arms — Japanese cherry blossoms on the left and the deadly blue ring octopus on the right.
The 31-year-old motorcycle salesman by day and painter by night is a man of juxtaposition.
Roque paints colorful and sometimes abstract paintings of anything from a spoon to a tree with his own unique twist. Many have heavy black lines through them or are outlining an object, but also carry a softer sensual quality.
He hesitates to label his art as a particular style — it changes so much — but instead says it’s “experimental” and a mix of pop artists like Andy Warhol and older classic artists like Van Gogh. He likes painting “everyday little things” in his own unique way.
Roque says the contrast in his paintings comes in the difference between his right and left arm.
He describes his right as his “angry arm” and his left as his “soft” arm. He paints ambidextrously, using his right hand for the thicker lines and the left for the blended color.
Roque grew up in Mount Vernon, but now lives in Sedro-Woolley with his wife and two children. His interest in art was born as a young child, tracing the character “Wolverine” from comic books. He also took some art classes at Skagit Valley College. But he attributes his most crucial art education to Mount Vernon High School art teacher Craig Meldahl.
“Mel was the cornerstone of all things to come,” Roque wrote on his Web site.
Roque sold his first painting while in high school for $200. He continues to sell paintings regularly, but not quite enough of them to cast aside his job as a motorcycle salesman and paint full time.
Meldahl specifically taught Roque about color, handing him oil paints, airbrushes and “the coolest little pens,” Roque said.
The teacher set the young artist free to play, but also trained him with lessons he keeps close to his art to this day.
“Create the illusion and create the space,” Roque recalled.
Meldahl said Roque was an especially talented art student who found his passion for art in high school and discovered his unique style while practicing painting on glass and paper.
Some years after graduating from high school, Meldahl said he bumped into Roque and encouraged him to take his art to the next level.
Since then, Roque has perfected his style and become especially successful at marketing his works, Meldahl said.
“I’ve never met anybody who doesn’t like his art,” Meldahl said. “A lot of it is color — his colors are real vibrant. I just think his work is something that the average person can identify with, even though it’s got a certain abstractness to it.”
Roque has used those lessons to paint sets for local stage productions, including most recently Theater Arts Guild’s winter show, “A Christmas Carol,” and its spring production of “Cinderella,” and he works closely with McIntyre Hall on other productions.
Not only is Roque a gifted artist, said Ellen Palmer, president of TAG, he’s also a professional worker and team player who operates comfortably under pressure.
“It is a pleasure working with Norm, due to his zeal for painting and his willingness to do what is necessary to get the show up and running,” Palmer said. “His painting talent is really only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this young man.”
• Tahlia Ganser can be reached at 360-416-2148 or at .
