Short on funds, Arnold Friberg took more than a year off from school to earn enough money to complete a second year. This is so unlike the society we live in today, when most college students are able to take out loans or receive grants for their education.

Friberg worked for the James Lloyd Company as a freelance commercial artist. He prepared display work for exhibitions and fairs, price cards and menus for soda fountains, advertising cards for the wresting arena, and similar assignments.

He later prepared illustrations that were printed in eastern newspapers and magazines to lure tourists to the area. Phoenix, Arizona was counting on its reputation as a sun belt city to entice wealthy vacationers to leave the snow and cold and to enjoy the city’s resorts.

Ironically Friberg produced many of his Phoenix advertisements in a poorly heated building. Bundled in overcoats, constantly blowing his hands to keep warm, Friberg would heat his hands and then draw an illustration of smiling, lightly clad golfers under the blazing Arizona sun.