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 March 26, 1961, Indiana describes "a quiet day with no intrusions," except for a trip to Paul Sanasardo's studio (where the exhibition Premiums: Stephen Durkee, Robert Indiana, and Richard Smith had opened the day before) to pick up J's (his partner, fashion designer John Kloss) tulips. He records that while there he signed his small paintings that were on display.

Indiana writes that he then returned home to touch up his paintings The American Dream, I, and Terre Haute, and that he studied the names of his constructions and renamed and christened them. He also records a call from gallerist Rolf Nelson, who wanted to come down tomorrow to fix prices (of his works for the Indiana / Forakis show at the David Anderson Gallery).