We were lucky to catch up with Carlotta Schiavio recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Carlotta, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Creating for me, is a constant adventure. I couldn’t ask for a more fulfilling life.
Art is my happy place, where I feel alive and in tune with the world around me. There’s a sense of pure satisfaction in taking a thought, a dream, or an emotion, and turning it into something tangible for others to experience. It’s magical!

I can’t imagine giving up the freedom and creativity that come with being an artist. Sure, there are days when I face challenges – A regular job might offer more structure and predictability, which could be nice in some ways. Maybe the security of a steady paycheck would take some pressure off. I imagine a regular job would come with its own kind of satisfaction, but for me, there’s something special about being able to shape my own days, my own projects, and my own path.

Carlotta, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Carlotta Schiavio aka YaTii Talisman– Visionary Artist Bridging Worlds Through Multimedia Expression
Born in Bologna, Italy, and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Carlotta is a pioneering voice in Contemporary Multimedia Arts. Her work navigates themes of identity, transformation, and the fusion of nature with technology, offering a unique lens shaped by a life lived across cultures.
A recipient of the Extraordinary Talent in the Arts Visa, Carlotta is now a full-time artist whose practice spans jewelry, painting, installations and visual storytelling. Her latest creation, “The Bugibatuki’s”, emerge from her visionary world Planet YaTii Talisman—a celestial sanctuary where harmony governs and imagination thrives.
My journey began with jewelry design, later evolving into painting in 1998, marking the start of a deeply experimental and transformative artistic path. In 2000, I introduced the mythical realm of Planet YaTii, which matured into the multifaceted world of YaTii Talisman. This universe came alive through series like Stars Up Close, featuring vibrant depictions of celestial skies, and Apotropaic Magic, a collection of symbolic shields warding off negativity.
A pivotal moment came in 2011 with the creation of “YaTii Talisman”, a portable painting made on handmade cotton paper sun-dried in Sicily. This work, initially sewn from separate segments to symbolize balance, evolved in 2018 when I shifted to painting on unified surfaces—an act of shedding outdated forms, both technically and symbolically.
In 2019, during a residency in Ethiopia for the Abrehot Library Initiative, I painted eucalyptus wood discs adorned with watchful eyes—icons of protection and alertness. The ensuing year saw the birth of “The Bugibatukis”: mysterious alien beings from Planet YaTii Talisman who bring peaceful, intuitive conflict resolution wherever they appear—often in earthly water basins, bearing sea creatures like crowns. With computerized mouths enabling interstellar communication, The Bugibatuki’s become conduits of intercultural understanding and guardians of global peace.
Continuing to expand my creative frontiers, 2023 marked a new chapter into literature, illustrating educational and fantastical tales for children. The beloved character Bugibatuki stars in my debut book, “Bugibatuki Watershed Awareness”, released in December 2024 and now available online. To contact me please visit www.yatii.com.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The true reward of being an artist is the profound connection that my work can create with others. It’s that special moment when I see someone’s eyes light up or hear their response to a piece—it’s like a spark of magic, knowing that something I’ve created has moved them in some way. A deeply satisfying experience.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

There is a very clear and deep goal driving my creative journey. As an artist, I aim to contribute to creating a better, more peaceful, and more reasonable world for all. Art, for me, is not just about personal expression or aesthetic pleasure—it’s a tool for transformation, a way to communicate hope, empathy, and unity.
Through the creation of the Bugibatuki, beings that embody peace and conflict resolution I hope to inspire others to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be—a place where differences are embraced, where positivity is nurtured, and where love and understanding can overcome division. My goal as an artist is to create works that not only evoke emotions but also ignite action.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yatii.com www.bugibatuki.com
• Instagram: yatii_talisman

Image Credits

Joanne Posse photographer