Craft it :: Abstract Painting

My fireplace has been in dire need of some art.  It was recently painted white, which looks so much better than the grey that it was.  But the white dogwood branches that have been hanging there weren't working anymore.  White on white is cool and all, but the branches didn't even show.  And what I really wanted was a pop of color.  Something fun and bright and different.

But what?

Then I saw some fabulous abstract paintings online and I totally wanted one.  Really really wanted one.  But I couldn't justify the price tag when we need to buy things like a hot water heater.

Then I had an idea - that as an art major myself is total blasphemy - my kids could do it.  Don't people look at Jackson Pollack and other abstract painters and say "my kids could do that" all the time.  I know they are technically wrong and that the breakthrough that was the abstract, cubism, etc. changed the way people looked at art (I could go on, but I won't bore you.  We're here to talk about a craft.)

But I was looking to create something fun for my fireplace.  On a budget.  So we loaded into the car and headed to the art store to get a canvas and a few paint colors we were missing.

Shirts came off, a drop cloth was spread out and paint was mixed.  I used acrylics so I could wash them off my children when they, inevitably, got paint all over themselves.  I also regulated what was happening as far as mixing colors and choosing what colors were out at one time.  It would have descended into a mush of brown globs otherwise.

I'm pretty thrilled with how it turned out.  Thoughts?  Would you ever hang your kids art as 'fancy art'?