Welcome to
Hue and Grain Studio

Come explore the intricate world of fine art with colored pencils as we enter a place where art meets life in a unique blend of knowledge and learned skill. Hello,

I am Jon Lafon.

Crafting visions of the untamed spirit and the raw beauty of wildlife, each creation reflects a deep connection with nature and a celebration of its untamed essence. The fusion of avian grace, woodland creatures, and elemental wonders evokes a sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world. Every piece is a testament to my vision—sophisticated, untamed, and alive with the spirit of the wild.​

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I have always been fascinated by the intersection of observation and expression. Raised in Texas in a creative household, I learned early on that art can be both a way to understand the world and to celebrate it. My mother was an artist, and my father a musician, and their influence taught me to value discipline, curiosity, and imagination.

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My work centers on birds because they embody so much of what inspires me—grace, resilience, and an essential connection to place. Each species carries its own story of adaptation and survival, and I am drawn to the challenge of conveying that story through the nuanced language of colored pencil. This medium allows me to build subtle layers of color and texture, honoring both the delicate structure and the vitality of each subject.

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While I hold two degrees in computer science and spent years immersed in technology and travel—including time living in Japan—my artistic practice has remained a constant thread in my life. Those experiences have shaped how I see: with attention to pattern, clarity, and restraint. Whether I am recording the soft gradations of a warbler’s plumage or capturing the measured stillness of a heron, I approach each drawing as an opportunity to translate close observation into an intimate, lasting experience.

My process begins long before pencil meets paper. Much of my time is spent traveling across North America with my partner and our spirited chihuahua. We explore wetlands, canyons, and old-growth forests in an RV, immersing ourselves in the living ecosystems that sustain the species I study. For me, direct observation is essential. It ensures that the work I create is rooted in authenticity, respect, and a first-hand understanding of place.

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Conservation is at the heart of my artistic practice. I believe that art has a role to play in advocacy: to inspire curiosity, deepen connection, and remind us of what we stand to lose if these fragile habitats disappear. Each drawing is not only a celebration of beauty but also a quiet invitation to consider our shared responsibility for protecting the wild spaces that sustain us all.

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For collectors who value rarity and craftsmanship, I offer my work in carefully produced, low edition runs. Each print is numbered in a limited series to preserve the integrity and individuality of the original, and to ensure that owning a piece feels personal and enduring.

I hope my work encourages viewers to pause, look closely, and remember that wildness still surrounds us, waiting to be noticed and valued. In an increasingly distracted world, I see art as a way to slow down, reconnect, and share a moment of wonder and care.