On Season 3, Episode 6 of What's The Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with Lester Coloma - award-winning mural artist, visual storyteller, entrepreneur, and proud Hamiltonian whose work has transformed communities across North America for nearly three decades.

Born and raised in Hamilton to Filipino immigrant parents, Lester's love of art began at home alongside his father, an architect who unknowingly sparked a lifelong passion for creativity. What started as childhood sketches grew into a remarkable career creating murals that don't simply decorate buildings - they tell the stories of the people, history, and communities that surround them.

In this thoughtful, reflective, and deeply inspiring conversation, Lester spills the tea on:

• Growing up as a first-generation Filipino Canadian and the lessons his father taught him about art and life
• Discovering mural painting through an unexpected opportunity that changed the course of his career
• Why he sees himself as a visual storyteller rather than simply an artist
• The responsibility creatives have to shape communities, preserve history, and spark conversation
• How grief following the loss of his mother found its way into his artwork and became part of his healing journey
• Building a creative business over nearly 30 years while navigating self-doubt, perfectionism, and entrepreneurship
• What success looks like today and the importance of embracing mistakes to grow as both an artist and a human being
• His dream of creating more personal, emotionally expressive work that reflects his own story

Lester also shares something deeply personal: despite decades of recognition and success, he's only recently begun to understand how profoundly his work impacts the people and communities who experience it every day. It's a beautiful reminder that sometimes we never fully realize the ripple effect of the gifts we share with the world!

This episode is about creativity, legacy, vulnerability, and finding beauty in both the cracks and the masterpiece. Season 3 – Episode 6 - Painting Stories That Last is streaming now on What's The Tea with Sarah E.

Connect with Lester Coloma and explore his portfolio: lestercoloma.com or follow along his journey on Instagram @lestercolomaart

That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.

Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every second Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.

A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic.

Until next time, keep stirring the pot.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.