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.

Indiana starts his journal entry for September 4, 1962, with the comment "the last stretch now—summer over and only my show to think about," referring to his first solo exhibition in New York, at the Stable Gallery, which would open on October 16. He then writes that he worked on The Black Diamond American Dream #2, making the decision to add color to the work, and gessoing in the "Jack" and "Juke" circles in preparation. The two circles, which were originally black, as seen in the artist's journal entry for May 13, 1962, would become green and blue, respectively. 

Indiana also describes his evening, which included a dinner in of French steak, asparagus, and salad with a dancer friend, Daniel Jackson, who had come over with a friend of his. He notes that Jackson was only in town for a few days, but that he might return for his exhibition opening.