Different Strokes

What is style? Where do you draw the line between the assertion of yourself and the imitation of others? Is personal style just an amalgamation of elements from other peoples style that you found appealing in some way? Does it require something truely unique to be truely yours or is the uniqueness of the collage sufficient? We are both artist and work of art. Can we ask the painter to justify each brush stroke she has made or list the strokes to come? Maybe we should just observe her quietly and admire her work.