¡Live from MIA!

*This page will be updated regularly, by me, as I get info.

I was an old friend of Coleman “Cookie” Davis (Dominique London) who lived in Cape Porpoise, Maine during the 70′s and early 80′s. Most in “K’port” knew him throughout his various “stages”, he was always a likable and talented person with a good heart. Here I’ll be compiling various submitted images, paintings & stories … on Cookie/Dominique’s legacy. I also buy his paintings, if available, from the original owners.

Please send images and/or your stories, to uncleash(at)gmail(dot)com … cheers! 

Rest in Peace Ms. Dominique Helene London (1951-2007)

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Shelley Wigglesworth / Kennebunk Town Column for March 5, 2009

Over the years I have written columns covering the extraordinarily interesting life of the late artist; Dominique Helene London-also known as Coleman “Cookie” Davis. Dominique was an eccentric, well known town character who started out life as a male, eventually becoming a lobster man, then artist. Cookie was in the process of transitioning into a woman at the peak of his art career; when lung cancer intervened, and he ultimately passed away of the disease in the winter of 2007. Well known for his oil paintings-seascapes, portraits, and fantasy paintings- all created using bold brush strokes and primary colors, Ms. London was rising to fame, if only in this tight knit artsy community. At least that is where I thought his claim to fame began and ended upon his passing-until a friend spotted one of Cookie’s ocean paintings in a fish market in Florida this past winter. The unmistakable style of Cookie’s signature sea scenes caught my friend’s attention. Upon further examination, it was confirmed-scrawled in the bottom right corner was the signature “Coleman Davis” (created before his coming out as Dominique.) Since hearing of this, I have been told of several other places where his art work is on display-some as far away as Arizona. It is nice to know that Cookie’s work has made it’s way all over the country-and although his life has ended; his legacy will surely continue to live on.

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Shelley Wigglesworth / Kennebunk Town Column for April 19, 2007

“Sometime in your life you will go on a journey.  It will be the longest journey you have ever taken.  It is the journey to find yourself.” - Katherine Sharp

It has been almost two months  since local artist Dominique London has passed.   I first met  Dominique in the 1990’s when she was using  her birth name, Coleman Davis, but was better known to locals as Cookie. I would often see her riding her ten speed bicycle around town., or on the stern of a lobster boat heading out or coming in for the day-usually at Government’s Warf. She was easy to spot with her jet black shoulder length wig blowing in the air as the boat made it’s way past the breakwater. Tall, slim, and wiry , I have been told that she was one of the best stern men around, and local lobstermen knew they would get their money’s worth  when Cookie was on board. I didn’t know it then, but the striking black wig Cookie began wearing , was the first sign of her new identity as  Ms. London.  It wasn’t long until Cookie, although still physically a male, was wearing women’s clothing, jewelry, high heels, and a full face of make up. She legally changed her name from Coleman Davis to Dominique Helene London, gave up fishing, and began pursuing her hobby of oil painting full time. Not an easy thing to do in a small town, and although  she had many supporter’s there were times when sadly, she was harassed, and treated in ways that were less than kind. She took it all in stride though-content in her decision.  She knew who she was, and that’s all that mattered to her. During this time she began showing  her work locally, at a few galleries in Cape Porpoise, at the Kennebunk Free Library, Big Fish Restaurant, and the Dock Square Coffee house.  I know this  because she would frequently call me for help in publicizing her shows.  I wrote some press releases for her and even took a few pictures of her with some of her recently completed paintings. She was known for using vibrant colors and bold brush strokes.  Her subject matter was primarily waterfront life, lobster boats (most named after some version of herself, Dominique I, Ms. Helene, etc.) and seascapes, although she also created some fantasy paintings of mermen, (who also bare an uncanny resemblance to her) and local buildings as well.  Most of her work sold in the $100-$200 range. Slowly, she was saving up toward the completion of her final journey as a woman, but sadly, she was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly after Christmas. Although this disease was extremely progressive, in the end, I am told that Dominique died peacefully with her seventeen year old cat Wolfgang by her side. Her journey has ended, but what a long and colorful one it was.

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