Ivan Schwebel was born in the United States in 1932. He studied Art History in New York city all the while painting independently. In 1962 Schwebel immigrated to Israel and settled with his family in Jerusalem.
His large body of work is on David in the book of Samuel.  Here, he reflects on the land of Israel, its society and politics. The Bible paintings travel and place David and others in the seasonings of  the artists life. In his Tel Aviv paintings movie stars and romance take over the streets of the city.
In recent years he has enhanced the theatrical invention and fantasy of his paintings. His brushwork has became more dominant, freer, and richer, its color more vivid and expressive.