Private Sub Form1_Paint(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As _
  System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs) Handles MyBase.Paint
        Dim p As GraphicsPath
        Dim b As PathGradientBrush
        Dim bs As SolidBrush
        Dim f As Font
 
        With e.Graphics
            Try
                p = New GraphicsPath
                p.AddRectangle(New Rectangle(-CInt(Me.ClientRectangle.Width / _
                  4), -CInt(Me.ClientRectangle.Height / 4), CInt( _
                  Me.ClientRectangle.Width * 1.5), CInt( _
                  Me.ClientRectangle.Height * 1.5)))
                b = New PathGradientBrush(p)
                bs = New SolidBrush(Color.FromArgb(110, 110, 135))
                f = New Font("Arial", 16, FontStyle.Italic Or FontStyle.Bold, _
                  GraphicsUnit.Point)
 
                b.CenterColor = Color.FromArgb(110, 110, 135)
                Dim colors As Color() = {Color.FromArgb(0, 0, 0)}
                b.SurroundColors = colors
                .FillRectangle(b, 0, 0, Me.ClientRectangle.Width, _
                  Me.ClientRectangle.Height)
                .DrawString("Hi there!", f, Brushes.White, 20, 20)
            Finally
                f.Dispose()
                p.Dispose()
                b.Dispose()
                bs.Dispose()
            End Try
        End With
    End Sub