Fireplace remodel question. Should I keep going or drywall over it?

I removed the ugly old tile and some mortar over the bricks came off. Should I continue removing the mortar off all the bricks and then smooth it over or should I just mount 1/2" drywall on it? If so, what do you recommend I use to fill the gaps? I've been trying to chisel the mortar and it doesn't come off easily.

Pic: http://ift.tt/1Izgp7J

Poor photoshop of what we want to do with it: http://ift.tt/1JIR9GP

Thanks

submitted by fernandizzel
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