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 22, 1962, Indiana records that he made last minute alterations to The Black Diamond American Dream #2, and then wrapped it in plastic and corrugated to be delivered to the Sidney Janis Gallery (where it was being included in the International Exhibition of the New Realists). He writes that James Rosenquist called and volunteered to drop him off at Third Avenue, so that he could pick up his stretchers at Brata Gallery. The gallery was closed so they then drove up to Janis to see the hanging of the show. Indiana notes they ran into both Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg on the way, but in different locations: "Jap near his loft, sailing along . . .  v[ery] niftily dressed—gave both our paws a shake, whereas Bob was on Third in his Willys 'jeep' truck—only he enquired of my show—and not fancily dressed. They who declined Janis’ invitation to participate in 'New Realists.'"

Indiana records that his painting "was uncorrupted but still emplasticated," but that Rosenquist's and Harold Stevenson's paintings were up. He also mentions Tom Wesselmann, Andy Warhol, and Claes Oldenburg, and that they said they would come to his show (at Stable Gallery) the following day. The exhibition's catalogue was at hand, and Indiana notes "it is a beauty, and full and nicely produced." He also writes that Oldenburg was "cool [to] [the] idea of [the] New Real. He doesn't want [to] be part of a group, big joke!"