Erika Li is a contemporary calligrapher who began studying classical Chinese calligraphy at the age of five. After 11 years of rigorous and systematic training on traditional techniques, she has mastered all types of styles within the genre. Her move to Vancouver, Canada at the age of sixteen marked the beginning of a fruitful experimental period in her practice. She completed a Level 9—which is the highest level—Certificate of Arts Grade Examination of China in calligraphy, and has won over 70 awards in national and international competitions. A keystone of her practice is actively working to not deviate or disrupt the traditional Chinese characters and strokes. Her technique balances a sense of precision inherent in the art of calligraphy with her own distinctive application of ink and execution of brushstrokes. Most recently, her experimentations center around incorporating color into the customary black and white art form—she applies specific color schemes to each character, adding further nuance and meaning. By using non-traditional media such as acrylic paint and watercolor, she discovers new interactions with the rice paper and blends traditional media with newer ones.