THE BANKER - THE ARCHITECT- THE ARTIST


Thomas Zarraonandia , a first-generation American of Basque Heritage, was born in White Plains, New York. He is recognized as one of Marin County's most prominent Artist. His paintings of marine scenes, landscapes, abstracts, and commissioned portraits of: boats, private homes, and people, young and old, reside in corporate and private collections thoughout the world.Although trained in Architecture, Mathematics and Art, Zarraonandia managed a long and successful career as an Executive in Corporate Banking. As the Senior Vice President of Barclays Bank of Caifornia for over 20 years, he carved a unique niche himself as a member of the Bank's Executive and Strategic Planning Committees, In addition he served as the In-House Architect and Premises Manager of the Bank's properties.

In 1980 with the untimely death of his wife Kiki, a gifted pianist who had chosen a career as a homemaker in lieu of the concert stage, Zarraonandia , still a young man in his early fifties, decided it was time to consider changing careers. In June 1988, Barclays was acquired by the Wells Fargo Group. Zarraonandia, now a widower with five children ranging from ages 14 to 23 decided it was "time to move on". His children agreed!

His second son, Tom, a professional photographer, discovered a pristine location to open Studio Z in the Village Fair, an Historical four story building in the center of town in Sausalito. During the ten years at The Village Fair, Tom, now the Director, featured works by his Father that spanned a period of four decades. The works included drawings, water colours, and oils in the full sepectrum: realistic, impressionistic, expressionistic, and abstract.


In January 1999 The Village Fair was sold to new owners to be converted into a hotel. Studio Z Gallery moved its Studio to 15 Graceland Drive in San Rafael.CA , and its Main Office to Novato.

A life of dedication and discipline is reflected in the caring manner the artist reconciles his facility for drawing with his love for color, form, and design. His paintings, whether abstract or representational confirm his conviction that painting is an exercise in discipline. Zarraonandia's paintings are reminiscent of Monet in color,Cezanne in form,Vermeer in technique, and Botticelli in spirit.

Zarraonandia paints what he sees. He knows what he sees; he thinks of what he sees. and in between he dreams a little. And as he dreams he paints, and his paintings become his reality.......his truth!