I am drawn to the still life genre as a means of contemplating the quiet beauty of ordinary objects through the use of a limited palette and subdued lighting. Following in the tradition of Chardin, the master of the commonplace, I selected a subject that is simple and humble, yet resonant with a long tradition of representation in art. 
In The Blue Jug I was attracted to the complementary colours in the composition—the warmth of the pumpkin contrasting with the cool « Vermeer blue » jug. I think the pumpkin glows when surrounded by the serene subdued background.