Steven J. Backman, a toothpick artist, said: “Toothpicks are like people. Each one is different.” <a href="//www.nytimes.com/2013/12/01/nyregion/steven-j-backman-builds-miniature-works-of-art-from-toothpicks.html">This profile</a> is part of the <a href="//topics.nytimes.com/top/news/newyorkandregion/columns/character_study/">Character Study series</a>.