Hi Brian,
For VFP version 3..7 check this example:
Subclassing CommandButton control to create BackColor propertyhttp://www.news2news.com/vfp/?example=392The idea itself is simple: create temporary bitmap file with color background (may be even write a text on it) and pass it to command button's Picture property.
The way it can be realized -- either GDI or GDI+ -- requires some coding, though as you can see can be solved.
Another example using similar approach:
Vertical Label controlhttp://www.news2news.com/vfp/?example=398