WITH the mere thought of a visit to the doctor enough to fill many with trepidation, a new practice has partnered with local artist Amanda Temple to ease their patients' nerves.

While outdated magazines work for some, Drs. Basil Wilson, Robert Martin and Gerhard Boonstra of Island Health Services wanted to go that one step further to ensure their new offices at 40 Point Finger Road be as welcoming to patients as possible.

So the group elicited the services - and photographs - of the well-respected lenswoman to help create the homey feel they were after. What's more, if the patient likes an image enough, he can take it home with him.

Explained office manager Zoe Roberts-Koren: "Basically, we thought it would be a nice thing for our patients to look at. We are not an art gallery and we don't want our offices to be publicised as such, but we felt it was a good combination. It's a good chance for Amanda to advertise her art and a good opportunity for us to have some pretty pictures in the office."

According to Ms Temple, the unique collaboration actually originated through her connection with the building's previous owner, Dr. Lori Martin.

"I bumped into her on the street one day as I was carrying one of my photographs and she mentioned she'd bought (the building) and asked if I'd put some of my art in it."

Unfortunately, Ms Temple said, the building was sold before any of her works could be hung. However, Island Health Services, the new owners, felt her photographs would contribute to their plan to create an atmosphere that was more residential than office-like.

"They did extensive renovations to the building," Ms Temple said. "It had been a residence and (they) wanted to keep it like a home; somewhere you could walk in and feel comfortable. And they've done that. (In addition to my photographs) they have a big squishy leather sofa and a welcoming coffee table - things to make it so it's homey rather than medicinal; a cosy, comfy environment."

Ms Temple, who is to unveil her collection when the new practice officially opens this evening, is one of the island's more popular wedding photographers. A former ballerina - she was forced to quit after suffering a knee injury - she fell in love with photography while experiencing the wonderful scenes of the French countryside from a hot air balloon.

Some 40 of Ms Temple's images - in black and white and colour - will be displayed and available for sale. The cost is affordable, with the most expensive priced below $500, and new photographs will be brought in to replace those which are purchased.

"It's obviously a novel idea," she said. "I'm hoping it's a success but, either way, it's kind of an interesting concept. The bulk of them are flowers and water scenes. They're very artistic looking; quite ambiguous. Some are pure, clean pictures of flowers but then you see some of the water scenes and can't quite make out what it really is except that you (think it's intriguing enough to try and figure out).

"So I guess they could be described as being very abstract but where a lot of abstract pieces become almost cubist, and stern in appearance, these are soft and the edges are all round; they're quite sensual.

"A lot of people in their art try and make a statement or say something through their work. For me, my art is purely about creating a beautiful image for me. It does make people think more about how it was done, but they're not trying to work out the meaning behind it."

l For more information on Ms Temple or her art, visit www.amandatemple.com or telephone at 236-2339.