Bio: Alex Blake

Hi there.

I was born on the 10th of October in 1989, which makes me 17 at the time of writing this. I am currently taking my first year exams at my Sixth Form College in Art, English Literature, History and Philosophy & Ethics. I won’t lie and say I've always had a talent for art. Like most children I enjoyed painting at a young age, but I never really considered art to be something of real interest to me until I was 13 or 14. This change occurred after designing a CD cover for an art project. Soon after, aged around 15, I started to take an interest in photography. I soon purchased my first digital camera, before recently acquiring a digital SLR. I held my first exhibition aged 16, with my 17th birthday occurring halfway through it. Overall I made a profit, something I am pleased with considering it was my first showing. I admire the work of Georges Meis and Michel Chavarria, whom I was lucky enough to interview for Cubicflow before it closed, as well as photographic legend Sebastião Salgado. Landscapes particularly appeal to me, but I also enjoy photographing buildings. I love being able to practice photography out in the countryside, where I can take my time and there are no distractions such as cars. Being alone with nature and a camera can be amazing. As well as this, I love old rustic buildings, full of cracked paint and dust. These places have such a wonderful atmosphere and feel to them.

I came across N-Sane art back in 2004 and was impressed by its tutorials. I signed up to the forum and commented on this and met with a friendly response and a lively-seeming community. After a while I befriended Matt Ellison and supported him when he left the forum. When I heard of the launch of Cubicflow I eagerly joined up, although submitted no artwork, only an interview and tutorials. I continued to stay in contact with Matt, and some time after the project shut down I wondered whether it was worth re-launching Cubicflow. I proposed this idea to Matt, who said he had also been considering this. Messages were sent out and people were contacted, and Matt, Wilf and I started to put some ideas together. After much thought and development of ideas a group of people were assembled to update and reload Cubicflow, and that is what you see today. I hope that we can make Cubicflow something special, something truly outstanding, and something everyone can be proud to be part of.