Makinti's first contact with Europeans was with a group of men travelling on camels. She walked into Haasts Bluff with her husband Nyukuyi Tjupurrula (brother of the famous Nosepeg Tjupurrula) before the Papunya Community was established.
Makinti began painting in the 1990's as a member of the Haast's Bluff-Kintore painting project and quickly developed her own distinctive style. She has participated in numerous exhibitions and very soon she gained three solo shows:at Utopia Art in Sydney 2000 and 2001 and at Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne in 2002.
In 2003 she was the finalist in the esteemed Clemenger Art Award at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
Makinti's work is represented in many public and private collections in both Australia and overseas. She was rated as one of the most collectable artists in Australia by the Australian Art Collector magazine for five cosecutive years, from 2002-2006 inclusive. Her works are regularly auctioned by Lawson and Menzies Auction House.