Patinated cast bronze sculpture titled "Spirit I (Eagle Catcher)," 1986, depicting a Native American man leaping, arms outstretched, to catch an eagle with a bearskin cloak falling behind. The figure rises from a naturalistic form resting on a wooden base. Signed, dated '86 and numbered along the lower edge. The artist, Wally Shoop, draws his inspiration from his observations of the natural world, his imaginative searching for images both accurate and powerful, and his American Indian heritage of respect for nature and the almost spiritual qualities of animal life. The realistic bronze sculptures produced in his studio provide ample evidence of his creative force and dedication to his artistic intent – to capture human feelings within natural forms.