Mike, for your smaller panels I would free hand carve it with a Rotozip and a Sabercut bit. Many wood carvers use this tool for exactly that purpose. I honestly think you should look at some of the power wood carving tools instead of a router for the larger panels. Woodcraft has some interesting choices
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=1846 and I'm sure others do as well. If you want to stick with a router for carving then go with one of the 2-1/4 HP models and remove it from the base. Build an angled wooden cradle and fasten your motor to it with a couple large hose clamps. The photo will give you the idea of what the cradle will look like.(Ignor the table)