These books have been particularly helpful or influential to me in the process of learning to create and learning to think of myself as an artist:

Art & Fear: Observations on The Perils (and Rewards) of ARTMAKING
        David Bayles and Ted Orland
    

Creative Authenticity: 16 Principles to Clarify and Deepen Your Artistic Vision
        Ian Roberts
    

The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
        Julia Cameron
    

Harley Brown's eternal truths for every artist
        Harley Brown
    

Color Theory Made Easy: A new approach to color theory and how to apply it to mixing paints
        Jim Ames
    

Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art
        Madeleine L'Engle
    

The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to Be the Artist You Truly Are
        Danny Gregory
    

The Accidental Masterpiece: On the Art of Life and Vice Versa
        Michael Kimmelman
    

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
        Anne Lamott
    

The Blank Canvas: Inviting the Muse
        Anna Held Audette
    

A Short Guide to Writing about Art
        Sylvan Barnet
    

Earth From Above (any of the editions)
        Yann Arthus-Bertrand     [This is a wonderful book of photographs of the earth that has been a source of inspiration to me, especially for texture and color.]