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.

This journal page covers March 16, 1959, and March 16, 1960. In his entry for March 16, 1959, Indiana describes his experiences that day when visiting two galleries (Betty Parsons and Sidney Janis). Regarding the first he writes: "My encounter with Betty Parsons was the best that I have ever experienced on my own: she offered her hand when she came out of her office and we exchanged formalities on Agnes [Martin] and [Enrico] Donati."

Regarding his encounter with David Herbert at the Sidney Janis Gallery he records: "David was cordial, but strained; gave me two [Robert] Motherwell posters, saying that Bob Rosenblum had just been there. The Motherwell show was very exciting: the walls crammed with large paintings and small drawing-paintings."

Indiana then notes bumping into a friend named Lenny, who wanted to contact dancer James Waring, and Norman Fisher, "who commented that my hair was too long."

In his entry for March 16, 1960, Indiana also records visiting numerous galleries. He writes that his main aim was to visit the new [Howard] Wise Gallery, "which Fred Mitchell has an interest in and the impression was very favorable, of the gallery [that] is. [Milton] Resnick's work, like warmed-over Monet's [sic], I was less impressed by." He then notes going to the Basaldella Afro show at Catherine Viviano Gallery, and the Nassos Daphins show at Leo Castelli Gallery, "a shocker: beautiful show, but much preoccupied."