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 the first entry on this page, dated January 20, 1959, Indiana discusses his efforts to have Charles Hinman take over his job at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, which he was eager to leave. He writes that Hinman "is panting for the job, apparently confident enough of his own qualifications, which are from yesterday's test, very minimal indeed." He also records having gone to Scarsdale (where he taught art classes).

In his entry for January 20, 1960, Indiana notes that he slept until noon, and that after breakfast he worked on constructions, giving Wall of China three pale lunar and solar discs, which are illustrated. The entry includes a sketch of Jeanne d'Arc, Indiana commenting that he gave the work "a figuration on her central member, devising a pale gesso wash, naturally [at] [the] nail points, established when found." He also records that Delphine Seyrig came over, relaying that Jack Youngerman had been found guilty in court of a housing violation, and that he now wanted to depart to France to paint there for a show.