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 September 11, 1962, Indiana writes that it was a "no work day again as some excitement stirs [the] placidity of [the] Slip." He records that he had misunderstood J's (his partner, fashion designer John Kloss) message the prior evening, and that the morning's activity was the work of Alan Groh, director of the Stable Gallery, not of gallerist Allan Stone.

Indiana records various visits, starting with that of Virginia Kondratief of Dwan Gallery, Los Angeles, whom he describes as a "striking young woman . . . immediately warm, friendly and open." He writes that "her visit was v[ery] easy except [that] she could not find a canvas suitable for her theme (American symbols in painting) of [the] right size. Unfortunately chose a little one [to] go with the one she chose at [the] gallery (American Reaping Company)—Gas." Indiana would be included in the show My Country ‘Tis of Thee, which opened on November 18, 1962. 

Indiana then notes another visit by collector Mrs. Tremaine, and that the visit was "v[ery] similar [to] [the] last. No decision and no purchase." He also records a visit by James Rosenquist who "delivered a devastating pantomimic characterization of our elder puss-cat Ellsworth [Kelly]" and that Groh announced that Stable was running a half page ad in Art Voices, a new magazine.