 Alksnis was born in 10 March, 1864 in "Vecalkšņi" homestead, Mazsalaca parish, Livonian Governorate however he was raised in Rūjiena where his father opened a book store.He graduated from a local municipal school and traveled to Riga to study art.He studied drawing in technical school of Riga German craftsmen society and later traveled to St. Petersburg.