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.

The artist's journal page for June 18, 1962, includes a sketch of his painting The Melville Triptych's "Whitehall" panel, to which Indiana applied the first coat of lamp black. He also notes that he worked on The Black Diamond American Dream #2, re-stenciling all of the black figures, and that he removed the painting "Generals" (In Praise of Dead Generals) from its stretchers.

Indiana records that it was another blistering day, and that he and his partner, fashion designer John Kloss, "spent an hour on [the] roof, soak[in]g up [the] worst of it." He also writes that his driver's license would expire in '65, and, as he does most days, details what he ate for lunch (a grilled cheese sandwich) and dinner (salad).