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 May 8, 1962, Indiana writes that most of the day was spent preparing for a building inspection, but that "it was not at all work lost, for in [the] process my loft got a much-needed cleaning and straightening up." He records that the inspector, Conte, "was as monstrous as he sounded, and had been reputed, but that the inspection was quick, "quite a letdown and a relief at [the] same time—probably only a lull now before the real storm."

Indiana also records that Campell Wylly (a curator at the Museum of Modern Art), stopped by after a tour of the new Chase building, and "responded brightly" to the unfinished American Dream (The Black Diamond American Dream #2) and The Eateria. They set off by cab to the Stable Gallery, where he had arranged to meet Stephen Durkee for the Marisol opening. Indiana writes that he recognized most the people there, and that as Ward was leading him "[to] meet [the] South American beauty," he was diverted.