Retired radiologist George McCord doesn’t really have any formal training in art, but the average audience would never know this.

In fact, his introduction to art started when the 75-year-old Atlanta man started taking adult education classes at the Atlanta College of Art. But the classes have paid off for the aspiring artist.

McCord submitted his piece, “Whisper Lake,” to the Quinlan Visual Arts Center’s Members’ Exhibition in Gainesville. He earned third place.

“This is the first art I’ve ever entered at the Quinlan for this particular show,” he said, admitting he felt rewarded and encouraged after placing in the competition.

The Members’ Exhibition is a showcase designed to honor its members and their work.

“Every member is eligible to submit one piece, so that’s how it’s selected,” Quinlan Visual Arts Center Executive Director Amanda McClure said. “There’s no reflection process to it. It’s just as simple as that.”

McCord said he’s been interested in art for a long time, especially since his wife is an artist. However, he’s never completed a lot of work because he didn’t have time to do it.

“I’ve drawn and painted a little bit off and on, but not that much,” he said.

Since retiring about 11 years ago, McCord has had time to work on his art. He usually works on it a couple of times a week.

“I’m retired and do artwork,” McCord said. “(I) play some bridge, play some golf, just things like that. I don’t have another job.”

McCord said his inspiration comes from mainly mountains and water. His inspiration for his painting at Quinlan came from Whisper Lake near his cabin in the mountains.

“I started off with doing oils and I’ve been trying to learn how to do pastels in the last two or three years,” McCord said. “I do both, but I don’t do anything else though.”

But he can’t take credit for submitting that piece to the Quinlan. He said his wife is the reason it was chosen. She urged him to enter his piece, McCord said.

“I probably wouldn’t have done it without that,” he said. “She has shown many times at the Quinlan and insisted I do the same.”

McCord’s piece “Whisper Lake” is now on display at the Quinlan.