Life doesn't imitate art for Dan Greer.

        The Marlborough Township resident spends his days in the noisy, physically-demanding role of a highway maintenance worker for Lansdale borough.  During his off time, though, he retreats to his home workshop to indulge in some peace and quiet.

        There he creates intricate figures out of hand-carved wood.

        "It's kind of therapeutic for me," he said.  "It's almost like somebody who likes sitting on a mountain and birdwatching.  It's quiet."

        Greer, who said he was always interested in art, went to vocational technical school for commercial art as a teenager.  But, as he focused on making a living and then supporting a family, he largely neglected his love of creating.  Until, that is, his mother sent him and his father to a carving class.

        During those classes, Greer said he learned the basics of wood carving and he discovered his aptitude for the highly-detailed hobby.

        He joined the former Quakertown-based Wilhelm Schimmel carving club, where he learned from a lot of different carvers with varying techniques.  He began showing his first carvings at the former Richland Mall in Richland Township. 

        Like anything, he said there are many options with what the artist can do, but he likes to do original pieces.  And, as a big fisherman, his pieces naturally turned into small versions of his favorite things to see on the end of his line, like trout.

        "Don't ask me why, I don't know why," said Greer with a laugh.  "I thought it was going to be ducks because that's what I thought carving was. But my only duck took me eight months.  Fish I can do a lot faster.  Since I work full-time, I don't get much time to carve."

        Made out of basswood, Greer first roughs in a chunk with a band saw and then hand carves the shape, sands it and finally works on the details.  Each piece can take anywhere from 50 to 200 hours, based on its size and features. 

        Some pieces are painted with a base coat and then acrylics, while others are left to show off the beauty of the natural wood, which is sealed. 

        But Greer's most intricate work, and most sought-after, are his Christmas ornaments.  He started making them when his children were young.

        "We'd buy them an ornament each year with the date on it.  My wife suggested making them," Greer said.  "So I started doing them and people showed a lot of interest when I took them to shows."

         Each piece is unique.  He uses all local woods for the ornaments like walnut, maple, cherry and box elder. 

        "A lot of times I use cut firewood.  If there's a tree I want to use I save some wood and dry it," he explained.

        The wood is then shaped on a lathe, carved, sanded and hand-painted.  Several coats of polyurethane are then used to give the ornament shine.

        While he won't brag about the quality of his work, Greer acknowledged people have asked him if his paintings are manufactured stickers placed on the ornaments.  For such small pieces, each one is amazingly detailed and can take up to 12 hours.

        He also does smaller, less labor-intensive pieces, which he displays with his other work a few times a year.  Greer showed last weekend in Kempton, but also recently took part in the Community Arts Festival at Finland Mennonite Church in Marlborough Township.  Each March he also displays his work at the Tylersport Fire Company.    

        Greer says he sells rarely, because he can't keep up with the demand, but he really enjoys the process.  While sanding is his least favorite part, the end result brings him happiness. 

        "I really like the painting; I just enjoy it," he said simply of carving.