Leo Villafana, a free-spirited artist and recovering alcoholic who later worked as an alcohol and drug counselor, died of cancer Saturday at the Joseph Richey Hospice in Baltimore. He was 64.

A memorial service for Mr. Villafana was held yesterday at the Mitchell-Wiedefeld funeral establishment.

Born in Puerto Rico, he grew up in New York. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, he gained a reputation as an impressionistic painter of street scenes, several of which were sold to such Hollywood figures as Edward G. Robinson.

His career as an artist and professional magician was adversely affected when he cut off two fingers while trying to frame one of his paintings.

Mr. Villafana's personal life was beset with bouts of alcoholism during his younger years.

Survivors include six daughters, Teri Lynn Villafana of West New York, N.J., Heidi Nissen and Tanya Villafana, both of New York, Catherine Villafana of Darien, Conn., Karina Monroe of Holyoke, Mass., and Rosa Villafana of Baltimore; a son, Leo Villafana 3rd of San Diego; two brothers, Raymond Villafana of Citrus, Fla., and Theodore Villafana of Philadelphia; and two grandchildren.