Since being launched in 2008, the Indiana Artisan Development Program has admitted 111 artists and food producers, reports project manager Eric Freeman.

One of the newest members is Ripley County’s Ted Cooley, who makes hand-painted snakes from dead tree branches.

The Batesville resident has been making the creatures since the late 1980s. “It was something to do with the kids .... They really enjoyed making them. Their buddies came over, and we made snakes.”

He also recalls, “In my family, we always had to make things for our Christmas exchange .... One season, my wife Kathy said, ‘Why don’t you make one of those snakes?’”

For the gift, everything had to be handmade. “You couldn’t buy anything, so I started using used paint, used screws for the eyes and a toothbrush for a paint brush.”

Even though he likes the smell of sassafras, the engineer uses any kind of wood he can find. “I grab some out in the woods and carry them for a while .... When I go by a creek in the spring, I stop and look at them.

“At the first sight of the stick that might eventually become that snake, you have to lay the stick on the ground and look for that snake in the stick. Turn it over until you can see the head and/or tail. The head is usually up off the ground, and the tail is usually close to the ground if not on the ground .... After a couple of lay downs, you can be real sure if it is a taker.”

When designing his masterpieces, Cooley only uses hand tools, including clippers or a hand saw to shape the snake. “Then the rasps of my dad and grandfather are used to further shape the head and tail and smooth the knobs.

“I’ve always been interested in how the paint flows on the stick .... It’s kind of a hard thing to paint.”

The father of Jeff, 26; Ben, 22; and Teddy, 17, has made about 100 snakes since beginning this venture. He says he makes about four to six a year, spending at least four hours on each one.

The friendly man says his wife suggested that he apply to the artisan program. He recalls an entertaining moment during the process when he brought copies of his work to the Indiana Arts Commission office: “I was walking down the street in downtown Indianapolis carrying three of these snakes .... Then I had to walk into this office building” with people staring at him.

When he was notified of his acceptance, Cooley was very excited, but thought, “In my opinion, I’m pretty low on the totem pole .... (but) I am really looking forward to being with this artisan program and getting different ideas.”

Diane Raver can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 114; or diane.raver@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.