Yeah, I must have forgotten to make it clear that I meant the programming part.
The problem with my prices is that whichever artist/animator commissions me to make their games might NOT have $3000 to invest in me. I don't know how much money they have available, and if my price is too high, they might simply not hire me at all. They have to eat too. And judging from another answer above, it seems independent animators indeed do not have $3000 to spend.
Anyway, thank you for your advice. It is clear that I need to re-think my entire plan.