O’KANE CREATIONS · ESTABLISHED 1972

Gail O’Kane
Preserving Barbadian Heritage

Preserving the island’s architecture, character and memories through ink and coloured-pencil illustrations.

Portrait of Gail O’Kane — Gail O’Kane · Artist

MEET THE ARTIST

Keeping memories alive through art

Since arriving in Barbados in 1972, Gail O’Kane has been inspired by the island’s colourful chattel houses, rum shops, plantation houses and parish churches. Her illustrations celebrate not only the buildings, but also the people and stories connected to them.

Her Barbados rum-shop illustrations received national recognition in a commemorative postage-stamp issue in 2026. Her story was featured in Weekend Nation on October 2, 2026.

“A love letter to Barbados” — Weekend Nation, October 2, 2026

O’KANE CREATIONS

Explore the Art Collections

Four collections celebrating Barbados through Gail’s illustrations. Framed 8 × 10 inch prints · BBD $55 each.

Chattel Houses

Gail O’Kane is a self-taught Artist who believes art is a gift everyone has in one way or another. Her love for the unique and historic Chattel Houses of Barbados, began at first sight. This sketch is done in ink, or ink and coloured pencils, to capture its unique architectural details, history and charm. A small way of keeping the beauty of Barbadian Chattel Houses alive for generations to come.

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Churches

Each Parish Church has played an important role in Barbados’ journey to Independence, helping to shape a nation grounded in faith, unity, resilience and love. Since 1972, artist Gail O’Kane has embraced environmental and historical sustainability, preserving our treasured architectural heritage through her original ink and coloured-pencil illustrations, creating a lasting visual legacy for generations to come.

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Plantation Houses

Gail O’Kane, nee Corbin, is a self-taught Artist, who believes art is a gift everyone has in one way or another. This copy is from an original ink or ink and coloured pencil drawing. Most of these unique Great Houses, were built by African craftsmen, who adapted the British Georgian and Victorian architecture of the early 17th Century to the topography and climate of Barbados. There are more than forty historical Great Houses still standing in Barbados.

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Rum Shops

Gail O’Kane is a self-taught Artist who believes art is a gift everyone has in one way or another. This print is from an original ink, or ink and coloured pencil. These unique Rum Shops have been present for over 300 years and form an integral part of Barbadian history and culture enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. It is my hope that your purchase will help to keep these Rum Shops alive, for generations to come.

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O'Kane Creations | Art by Gail O'Kane

O'Kane Creations by Gail O'Kane

Discover Barbados through the original ink and coloured-pencil illustrations of Gail O'Kane. Explore the island's architectural and cultural heritage through Chattel Houses, Churches, Plantation Houses and Rum Shops.

Barbados Diamond Jubilee — 2026

Explore the commemorative 60th Anniversary of Independence parish church series, celebrating Barbados' faith, heritage, unity and progress.

Framed prints are approximately 8 × 10 inches, priced at BBD $55 each. The gallery is being prepared for launch; availability will be confirmed before ordering opens.