Sure, maybe there isn’t a haunted mansion or a pirates of the Caribbean ride, but Randyland is still pretty fucking awesome.
Randy and I were in Pittsburgh last weekend with two of our favorite people on the planet. We had some hours to kill during Saturday afternoon so we visited the Mattress Factory, which has nothing to do with either mattresses or factories. The Mattress Factory is a funky art gallery interesting enough to hold the attention of a six year old.
The afternoon would have been perfect with just the Mattress Factory, but it didn’t stop there. My stepdaughter, little sister, told me that after the art gallery, we were going to Randyland.
Randyland? There’s a place called Randyland? One that isn’t my bedroom?
Oh yes. Yes, there is a Randyland.
Randy Gilson created Randyland.
He was there when we visited and if I had to describe him in one word, it would be exuberant.
My empathy cup overfloweth. I have empathy coming out of my orifices. Absorbing the emotions of others is usually upsetting and exhausting, but then sometimes you get to meet an artist like Randy Gilson and his joy and kindness just wash over you like a tidal wave of kittens and cotton candy.
I spoke with Randy the artist about his art which was huge and colorful and jumbled and just spectacular. 
Me: Could I get a picture of you with my husband? His name is Randy, too.
Randy the artist: His name is Randy? I love meeting other Randys.
With that, he grabbed Randy and gave him a full on bear hug. It was probably one of the top 10 most genuine hugs I have ever seen in my life.
Randy the artist proceeded to point out his collection of welcome signs.
Randy the artist: My goal is to add 500 more welcome signs this year. I’m working with universities and getting help from them to help me with that goal.
Me: How wonderful!
Randy the artist: You know how Donald Trump wants to build a wall to keep people out?
Me: Yes. Yes I do.
Randy the artist: Well, I want all these welcome signs so that all the people know they are welcome. When I get all the signs done, then I want to invite Donald Trump here because he is welcome, too.
My Randy and I thanked the artist and got a few more hugs.
We walked away and I looked at Randy. He was struggling to hold back tears as hard as I was.
Me: He is such a good person. I would love to be that good of a person.
Randy: You are a good person.
Me: I’m not “I’d welcome Donald Trump with open arms” good.
So, I wanted to share Randyland with you guys because it was truly wonderful experience.
I felt inspired to find more ways to spread light and love, which is a challenge as my mode is often cranky and cynical. We all have challenges in life, don’t we?
Randy Gilson lives very simply and supports his art through merchandise and donations. If you want to support an artist whose goal is to bring love and inclusiveness and joy into every human’s life, then please consider sending Randy a few dollars. I know I am so looking forward to getting my “Randyland” t-shirt.
I’m glad we took to the time to get out see something new. Visiting Randyland was like a balm for my psyche. I am going to make it my goal to seek out all the beauty I can.
We definitely need more Randys in this world. Thanks for sharing the artist Randy with us!
We do!! We really do need more!
THANK YOU!
I’m in Pittsburgh a few times a year – my father lives near-ish – and I’ve never heard about or been to either place. Will def get to both Randyland and The Mattress Factory on my next Daddyville visit!
Yay!! I can’t WAIT to hear what you think!
I could never be a Randy, but I’m so glad Randys exist. I will definitely check him out and throw him some support.
I am also glad that Randys exist!!!
“Me: I’m not “I’d welcome Donald Trump with open arms” good.”
Me neither 🙁
Isn’t it interesting how you use the word ’empath,’ yet shy away from ‘woo-woo?’ 😀
But, for real.
It isn’t often that a person is so pure and joyful that you can feel it resonate in your bones.
Makes me wanna stay right there with them.
And hug.
Cuz comin’ down off of that cloud is soooo depressing. Once you feel that ‘mmmm’ you wanna keep it and not being able to find it in other people is a real let down 🙁
I know that’s why I stay relatively solitude.
Yay for Randys!
I hope Randy the artist’s signs make it all across America!
Just like I love it when your Randy’s memes and gifs show up on my timeline 🙂
YAY for Randys!!!! Yes!!!
So much about Randy is inspiring, including his courage. He might say he couldn’t live any other way but it’s still very brave of him to live the way he does.
And he doesn’t need a pirates of the Caribbean ride but I do need a “Thinkerer” t-shirt.
It really he, and he was just so joyful and welcoming. Truly an amazing experience.
Dammit, Michelle! Just when I think I am being a really “good” person, you throw out “I’m not “I’d welcome Donald Trump with open arms” good”…I had to check myself on that one!
I am going to strive to be more like Randy.
Thank you for this.
I don’t know that I will EVER get there, but I can do better and that is what I am going to focus on.
We lived in Pittsburgh and I never knew about Randyland. Wish I had met him, he is truly one of a kind! A great example to us all.
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I am so glad we got to experience his space. 🙂
Ok, it’s grey, it’s raining, it’s cold, I have a massive customer deliverable due tomorrow and you sent me RandyLand. Consider your good deed for the day DONE. Actually, maybe the whole week. 🙂
YAY!! That is awesome!
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing Randyland, Michelle. My guy is a Randy, too. It’s a good name. Obviously, this guy is making good on the namesake. 🙂
Randys are the best!
Randyland sounds awesome! More people like Randy are needed in the world. And in politics. Sometimes you meet people who just give you a warm fuzzy feeling. And even if you can’t hang out with them all the time, it’s always a gift to be cherished!
We do need more Randys. Not more of my Randy, though. He’s awesome…but one is enough. Haha.
I think you can still be a good person without welcoming assholes. At least I hope so. *I* think you’re a good person. And I think I’m a good person.
You are right…we’re both good people. XOXOXOX
I wish I could make a trip to Randyland, too! I’ll have to check out his site! I also want to leave you with another “feel good” announcement: Entertainment Weekly’s new issue is, in part, devoted to Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s 20th anniversary. Cast reunion (minus Giles, for some reason) and four different collector covers. You may already know about this, but just thought I would inform a fellow rabid “Buffster”! XOXO
P.S. I’m not sure I could be that good a person to welcome the cheetoh into my home. It’s bad enough I have to breathe the same air space when he’s down here in South Florida at tax payers’ expense.
OMG I saw that article! It was AWESOME!!
Awesome story. Randyland Randy reminds me a little of my friend Jack. Only Jack is really obnoxious on top of it all. And lazier when it comes to his art. But he did move into a being-renovated-from-a-fire building next to the local gang headquarters in the late eighties and started turning the neighborhood around. We were the crazy white people, and we got along well with the 38th Street Boys (the above mentioned gang) so it all turned out all right, except for the whole “OPD won’t let you keep anything unsightly in your yard and we had 65 broken motorcycles” thing. It was fun at times, not fun at other times, and I am way too old to live like that any more, so I’m glad I already did it.
Thank you for sharing, and I’m glad you found something that has you feeling better.
Thank you! I really needed that “feel good” moment. 🙂
Gosh, I wish I had a welcome sign to send him!
🙂
Love the welcome signs. We should wallpaper the country (and then… THE WORLD) with welcome signs. What an amazing person.
He so much is! I felt more comfort standing in his space than I have in months.
I’m from Pittsburgh. I haven’t been home in years, but Randyland is the best reason for going back that I’ve heard in a long time.
I can’t recommend it enough.
Everyone should aspire to be like Randy- welcoming, exuberant, and just plain happy- no mean feat these days.
It must have been fate you found him. Thank you!
🙂
He really is amazing.
I live in Pittsburgh, and can attest to Randy’s awesomeness. He is the genuine article–quirky, kind, a kid at his very heart. I’m not sure if you are aware, but Randy’s partner has terminal cancer. Randy started a GoFundMe to take their one and only vacation to the Grand Canyon before Mac passes.
Here’s the link:
http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/fans-give-back-beloved-pittsburgh-artist-dying-partner-n739926
I’m so glad you got to experience the phenomena that is Randyland.
OMG my Randy told me about this on our trip home. I ugly cried. He was so exuberant and gracious while we were there and all the while living with the fact that his partner is dying. Holy. Shit.
Randy also told me that a great deal of money has been raised. I hope this is true. I hope they have an amazing vacation together.