<p>IANAAP (I am not an admissions professional)</p>
<p>I've read two books on admissions and chatted with a half-dozen admissions officers. The Revealed Wisdom is to write something bright, interesting, clean and thoughtful that reveals what wonderful character you have. Novelty for the sake of novelty won't get you anywhere, and might get you labelled "too cute to take seriously." You don't want to be a teddy bear applicant. So, send the painting if you want, but make sure it's attached to a solid, interesting essay.</p>
<p>I will now wait for someone who actually does this for a living to chime in...</p>