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 January 3, 1962, Indiana discusses taking a train to the countryside, meeting collector Sally Rose and her friend Missy at the station, and then driving to a French provincial home on three acres of trees and rolling land. He notes (in reference to the home) that "hanging Ballyhoo [would] be no great problem at all." Indiana mentions that a Scotch and a light lunch were also his breakfast, and that Noel (journalist Noel Frackman) also stopped by. Upon returning to the city the artist recounts being met by J. (his partner, fashion designer John Kloss) at Grand Central Station, and taking a taxi home. 

Indiana records beginning a painting that evening, and not going to bed until four a.m. because of recalcitrant stove fires. The entry includes a sketch of the 24 x 22-inch work, Polygon: Hexagon, which the artist notes he intends to be primarily a green painting.