Creating Object In OnInit() - Not Accessible In This Context Because It Is 'Private'

I am trying to create an assembly object when a report is initialized and I am getting the error:

[rsCompilerErrorInExpression] The BackgroundColor expression for the textbox 'textbox2' contains an error: [BC30390] 'ReportExprHostImpl.CustomCodeProxy.X' is not accessible in this context because it is 'Private'

In the Code tab, I have:
Dim X As namespace.classname
Protected Overrides Sub OnInit()
X = new namespace.classname()
End Sub

In my color field, I have "=code.X.color"
If I replace the color field with "=namespace.classname.color" and have color be a shared property, then it works. However, I ultimately need the color to be based on individual user settings, so I cannot use the shared property approach.

Any ideas on how to get around this "because it is private" error?

FYI, I am trying to replicate the concept of themes using report formatting information pulled from a database.