E.B. Ott folk art self taught

What is Self taught?
Well this picture poped up on ebay on of my Favs EB Ott, now this is self taught
i think the term has become romanticized to much i alway thought i started out that way and developed my own style somehow but now the term is ment to declare a purity or prudence form the fine commercial art world. Really the idea of the "self taught" is about determination to make painting after painting , hidden away or as a hobby but the results is a real wierd pictorial vision or style that isn't nesarly orginal but akward and singlular