[2] When he graduated he taught at Northern Vocational School in Toronto, took classes and taught in a summer art school run by Franz Johnston, and worked as a commercial artist.
Directed by the magazine editors, Arbuckle went cross-country by Canadian Pacific Railway and did paintings for covers and illustrations of different subjects.
During this time, he illustrated a number of books on historical themes including "Great Canadians" (1965)[10] and "They Shared to Survive, The Native People of Canada" (1975)[11] as well as illustrating historical themes for major Canadian corporations such as Seagram's (today this collection is in the McCord Museum, Montreal)[12][13] and the Pulp and Pape Industry of Canada (1951).
[14] He also painted murals, including one for Hamilton City Hall (1961)[15][16] as well as designing tapestries.
[17] In 1996, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection exhibited Souvenir viewpoints: watercolours by Franklin Arbuckle;[18] He died in Toronto in 2001.