Wow @bryan-imhoff, this is really sweet.

I can feel your enthusiasm, excitement and apprehension through out this write-up. Just be rest assured that these feelings are normal when we've just made a big decision of this sort. Also humans usually seek the security of 9-5 kind of jobs but we trade off a lot for that: our time, energy and longing for something more engaging/fulfilling. This trade of doesn't usually give us a happier life, we're supposed to be doing what we love and what makes us happy. That's the ultimate goal, and no matter what you'd be happier you tried this. It's most likely to work out fine for you because you're really good at what you do, I've seen your art.