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 daily life on Coenties Slip.

This journal page covers March 9–10, 1961. In his first entry, for March 9, Indiana notes that he sent an application, signed by the "'director'" of the David Anderson Gallery, to the Museum of Modern Art. He also records receiving a call from artist Richard Smith, who wanted a stencil.

Indiana's entry for May 10 includes sketches of two drawings, "in the old manner of dry brush," Conquest and Country. He also notes that there was a model, named Judy, for his classes "in the country" (at the Scarsdale Studio Workshop), and that he had dinner at Grand Central Station.