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 October 17, 1961, Indiana records that gallerist Alan Stone had changed his mind, and no longer wanted to have a quick one-man Indiana show, but instead a two-man show featuring Indiana and James Rosenquist. He writes, "a chill wind for sure, which is [the] way Jim regards it too," and that the situation made it difficult to attend Stephen Durkee's opening at the gallery that evening. He notes that Stone didn't even speak to him, which he would no doubt blame on Indiana not speaking, and that the opening was doubly sour because the Durkees were "under a great weight."

Indiana also records adding blue stripes to The Great Reap.