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.

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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 by Gail O’Kane

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 by Gail O’Kane

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 by Gail O’Kane

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 by Gail O’Kane

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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Gail O’Kane Creations

Gail O’Kane — Preserving Barbadian Heritage

Portrait of Barbadian artist Gail O’Kane

Meet the artist

Gail O’Kane

Through her illustrations of chattel houses, churches, plantation houses and rum shops, Gail O’Kane celebrates the architectural heritage and everyday character of Barbados.

Explore the collections below to discover the places and stories reflected in her artwork.

Explore selected illustrations by Barbadian artist Gail O’Kane, celebrating the island’s chattel houses, churches, plantation houses, and rum shops.

Framed 8×10 prints are BBD $55. Colour and black-and-white versions are available for selected works. Contact us to confirm availability and place an order.

Chattel Houses — View artwork

Barbados Chattel House

Churches — View artwork

St. Andrew's Parish Church

St. Peter's Parish Church

St. James's Parish Church

St. Joseph's Parish Church

St. Thomas's Parish Church

St. Lucy's Parish Church

St. George's Parish Church

Christ Church Parish Church

St. Philip's Parish Church

St. John's Parish Church

St. Michael's Parish Church

Plantation Houses — View artwork

Kirtons Plantation House, St. Philip

Rum Shops — View artwork

ZR's Rum Shop

A Love Letter to Barbados

Gail O’Kane’s illustrations celebrate Barbados’s built heritage and familiar island scenes.

Weekend Nation · October 2, 2026

Barbados Postal Service Stamps

Discover the commemorative stamp collection featuring Gail O’Kane’s artwork. Complete sets and first-day covers will be listed here when images, pricing and availability have been verified.

Contact us about Gail O’Kane Creations