DeLeva and Authenticity

Recently I was asked in a disapproving tone: "Did you go to school to paint like that? " - nameless 


My answer;  Absolutely I did!

I spent hard earned money on an education so I could better understand how to use tools and history to more effectively communicate feelings that I can only express in images. 

I never went to school to emulate a style of painting. Sure along the way I emulated Dali, Tanguy and numerous other artists (none of witch were my professors), but my education was spent learning how to learn, so I could deconstruct art and have an idea of what and how the artist accomplished the work they created. 

Is my vision unique? No how could it be?