He is one of the first painters who started to paint daily scenes from Latvian peasant life.

Alksnis was born on 10 March 1864 in Vecalkšņi homestead, Mazsalaca parish (now Valmiera Municipality), Kreis Wolmar, Livonian Governorate however he was raised in Rūjiena where his father opened a book store.

He studied drawing in technical school of Riga German craftsmen society and later traveled to St. Petersburg.

He actively participated in the local Latvian artist society Rūķis (Dwarf).

In 1897 he underwent a minor nose surgery in Riga but died quite suddenly from blood-poisoning on March 21.