The Dream Continues: Anna Murphy’s new Highwood mural helps fill void after ‘I Dream in Blue’ coverup

Anna Murphy’s return to Highwood comes with a familiar feeling and a new name. 

Her latest mural, two weeks in the making, “Dreaming of You,” was unveiled on July 25 at 28 Mile Distilling Company, 454 Sheridan Road and serves as a sister piece to “I Dream in Blue,” the mural that residents mourned after it was removed in March. 

This time the new mural sits on a rooftop rather than what used to be a street. 

“I want people to look at my work and just be stuck in their tracks,” Murphy said about “Dreaming of You.” “I want them to be impressed by the beauty of it, feel that beauty inside themselves, and get lost in the details. I want to bring out that childlike wonder and awe we all experience.” 

Her previous mural, “I Dream in Blue,” was covered during renovations on a building for incoming restaurant Avec at 244 Waukegan Road, The Record previously reported. 

Murphy was “surprised” that “I Dream in Blue” was wiped out, especially because she saw how much the community enjoyed it. But it was not something new to Murphy. She said “that is the nature of murals. they don’t last forever.” 

The fact that murals can easily come and go makes the artworks more “precious,” she said. 

But her devotion to the craft has not changed because of the temporary nature of it. Her goal for any of her art remains constant: to “create beautiful art for the community to enjoy.” 

Art curators Laura “Lulu” Reich and CJ “Koz” Kozloff brought Anna Murphy back to Highwood to collaborate with Eric Falberg, owner of 28 Mile, to make this new mural possible. 

“Anna’s ‘Dreaming of You’ is just so stunning,” Reich said. “It was really inspiring to see her paint and have her back to have a real presence in Highwood. The mural has brought joy to the people of Highwood.” 

“Dreaming of You” will allow the Highwood community to “come together and appreciate the arts,” said Reich, who also hopes the art will bring more people to 28 Mile. 

Luckily, with “Dreaming of You,” its location at 28 Mile lends itself to longevity, since it is in a “private space,” and no buildings will be encroaching on its spot any time soon, Murphy said.

At 28 Mile, which is also an event venue, people can also have their special moments in front of “Dreaming of You,” such as weddings and engagement photos, like they did with “Dream in Blue.”

Falberg and Murphy even decided to continue the mural around the rooftop so that it’s a “continuous wrap-around mural” sometime next year. 

Into the art 

“Dreaming of You,” has similarities with “I Dream in Blue,” in that it is a feminine portrait painted in metallic gold, and cobalt blue. 

To Murphy, the metallic gold reflects “divinity and sacredness of life,” whereas the cobalt blue is a symbol of “the earth.” The two colors together represent heaven and earth, connecting humans and the divine. 

In addition, cherubs, bees, flowers, plants and baroque frame scrolls are symbolic of Murphy’s 1-year-old child and loved ones who have passed away (cherubs); a higher frequency, community and connection to all things (bees); Mother Nature and “the sort of paradise that can be found within” (flowers, plants); and music (scrolls).  

Although Murphy did not intend to draw a specific woman, Falberg told Murphy the woman painted reminded him of the woman on the logo of his wines, which “fit in really nicely with 28 Mile,” Murphy said.  

She’s been creating murals since 2017 but has been painting since she was a young girl. 

Murphy fell into the mural world from painting large canvases. Once given the opportunity to try murals, she “fell in love with the scale of it,” and the “community aspect of it,” she said. 

Murphy grew up in England, then later pursued her career in Chicago. Today, she travels around the world to create her art. 

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.