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 page dated September 22, 1962, Indiana records giving the black field of the painting The Black Diamond American Dream #2 another coat, and working on a base for the sculpture Chief, planing and sanding down a capital from Lenore's Tawney's studio at 27 South Street. He then records turning to the unfinished construction Eat, with a sketch of the work occupying much of the page.

Indiana also mentions that James Rosenquist called to say that the Green Gallery was trying to put him under contract, and concludes that he is sure "Jim Dine's success makes [Rosenquist] restless and itchy."