Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. Revelation 22:1,2

This new River of Life painting began with a swath of gold paint through the middle of a square canvas as the River of Life in the New Jerusalem will flow through the centre of the city down a street of gold. Gold paves the way.

Applying Composite Gold Leaf Over Gold Paint and Special Sizing

I’ve made the street straight since many passages of Scripture call for making the way straight and leveling hills.

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’” Luke 3:4-6

Next, I added a covering of very fine (composite) gold leaf. I’d brought some with me from the US, when we moved to UK, knowing that one day it would have its time. That day has come. But I had to learn how to apply it first and am very thankful for YouTube.

Composite gold leaf is made of copper and zinc and pressed very finely into sheets with the appearance and gleam of gold. It’s a delicate procedure to maneuver the floaty, easily crinkled squares onto the prepared sizing—don’t sneeze! Or even breathe much. But oh the shine! It does give a hint of the streets of gold in the golden city of God.