The artist Gonzalo Álvarez’s new artwork represents self-determination and emotional security.
CHEETAH is his new animal character.
Gonzalo tells us: “This artwork represents self-determination. This is a very important and necessary ability in our lives because, in order to regulate our emotions, we must first trust our instincts, value ourselves, and accept ourselves as we are. Only then can we learn to move forward at our own pace, listening to our inner voice.”
In nature, a mother cheetah raises her cubs on her own for approximately a year and a half. She teaches them to observe, hunt, and survive before letting them go. During this period, the young cheetah is no longer a protected cub, but not yet a fully developed adult capable of surviving independently. It is a difficult time of transition, when it must trust what it has learned and discover its own abilities.
Gonzalo says: “Adolescence is the most difficult stage of human life, a time when everything is often questioned and everything seems twice as hard. I am talking about trying to fit in or belong to a group. This is even more difficult if we have not had good role models or natural leaders who helped strengthen our self-esteem at the right time and taught us genuine emotional values.”
This is why CHEETAH was created with a purpose.
Through his art, Gonzalo portrays a cheetah standing alone in the darkness. He explains: “The darkness of our fears is a difficult stage, but we must learn to face it and trust ourselves.”
The two flowers accompanying the cheetah also have a special meaning. Gonzalo tells us that their buds represent the beginning of a process of growth and transformation, similar to the one we experience during adolescence. They symbolize self-esteem, self-determination, perseverance, and the emotional security we develop as we learn to trust ourselves. Even in the midst of darkness, we can discover our strengths and find our own path to blossom.
The artwork invites us to reflect on the importance of self-control and perseverance, qualities that shape our character. It also reminds us that by trusting our own steps and listening to our inner voice, we can move towards our goals.
Just as the cheetah learns to conserve its energy, observe its surroundings, and use its speed at the right moment, we too can learn to recognize our abilities, trust them, and act with determination to achieve our goals.