Is it normal to be able to read and understand kanji/vocabulary when it’s in front of you, but not be able to recall these meanings without looking at the kanji that makes it up? Or if I am able to recall the meanings, I wouldn’t be able to picture the kanji that make up the vocabulary.
Yes, those are two different areas of study. Going from meaning to the Japanese word is precisely why KaniWani and KameSame exist. They are like the reverse of WK.