source 10

1. http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa021500a.htm
2. Lisa Chiu
3. "Lisa holds a bachelor's in journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a master's degree in China Studies from the University of Washington, and a master's degree in journalism from The American University. Lisa has been a reporter for The Orange County Register, The Arizona Republic, and The Seattle Times. She was also a copy editor at China Daily, China's English-language newspaper, and China Central Television International, both in Beijing." (http://chineseculture.about.com/mbiopage.htm)
4. The source says, "The Chinese Brush Calligraphy is one of the traditional four arts which was once an important critical standard for the Chinese literati in the imperial era and now prevails not only in China but also worldwide as a unique branch of art.
   
   Calligraphy is so abstract and sublime that in Chinese culture it is universally regarded to be the most revealing power of a person. While one has conformed to the defined structure of words, the expression can be displayed with great creativity by individuals.
   
   To become an artist or expert in calligraphy, one has to practice word by word and stroke by stroke until the spirit of the practice gets into one's mind. Just as Chinese Qi Gong, the Chinese brush calligraphy can temper a person into a state in which one can apply subconsciousness got from the daily practice to control the concentration of ink and the compatibility of font and size of each piece or word."
5. yes
6. the credentials are very great and this information repeats some of the information in past sources which help confirm this fact.