Robert Indiana kept a series of illustrated journals during the late 1950s and 1960s, in which he discusses the development of his work as well as his daily life on Coenties Slip.

in his journal entry for December 12, 1961, Indiana writes that "yesterday did not end until approximately 4 a.m.," and that he "brought off another drawing (a rubbing with graphite which may have [to] be discarded)." He also records a red (China Marker) drawing, American Eat.

Indiana notes having dinner with Art (clinical psychiatrist and art collector Arthur Carr) at the D/H (the Seamen's Church Institute, often referred to as the Doghouse), and that Carr helped him, along with J. (Indiana's partner, fashion designer John Kloss), put together four stretchers. After he left Indiana and Kloss rearranged Kloss's work area.